I only found out about the Radical Practice of Black Curation: A Symposium, months prior, August 2023, when curators, Phillip Townsend and Ekow Eshun, shared that there was a yearly convening for Black curators. This immediately captured my attention. Sidebar: I had the pleasure of getting to know these wonderful individuals from moderating the Innovative Speaker Series: Deborah Roberts In Conversation panel discussion. If you haven’t had a chance to check it out, here’s the link.
Back to the story of what led us to the symposium. While on our way to Taos, NM for a studio visit with artist Nikesha Breeze, we began a conversation about what it means to be a curator and planning in advance. Other topics included:
- how being Black shows up in their practice
- if there is a pressure to focus on Black pain, grief and trauma due to current climate
- what it means to navigate this space
- the importance of representation
- what it means to collaborate
- what curators are looking for and expecting with studio visits
- Engagement with artists, cold calling, etc.
This led us down another rabbit hole, how many artists and creatives aren’t prepared when the opportunity presents itself. Some examples that were given and discussed:
- An artist might not have explored an idea or concept and the curator would like to see that expansion.
- How they prefer to be kept in the loop with an artist’s practice, but that doesn’t mean they are pitching for a show.
- An artist not having enough work to fill an exhibition space.
This was such an enriching and insightful conversation for me as an artist since I had recently started to grow more in my work. In my blog post Finding the Flow of Inspiration, Exploration, and Practice, I discuss this further.
A few months into the new year, Phillip shared with me the dates for the convening, which was literally happening a few days before I had to go to Venice. But I knew that this was important for me to be there. Thanks to my supportive directors at SITE SANTA FE, I was able to attend, which impacted and inspired me in such a profound way.
Before the event started, I was able to check in with Ekow, which was a delight, especially since he was one of the panelists. He reminded me that it takes time to get things done, which is why you should enjoy the process. This was a gentle reminder for me to be still and slow down. To not succumb to the hustle and bustle, the frantic energy, and the immediacy. Being in a shared space with Black curators in various stages of their careers was fulfilling. As an artist, there was a synergy or rather a feedback loop occurring, where I was inspired to create new work and research based on the ideas they were exploring.
So, how did this impact and profoundly inspire me?
Well, my career to date has not been linear in the slightest and, it has been quite nontraditional, which has allowed for insecurities, doubt, and fear to take root. Working at SITE SANTA FE in an administrative capacity allowed me to; observe the art world from behind the scenes, engage and connect with professional artists who make a living from their art and sustain themselves with it. This exposure showed me regularly that I can carve out my own path.
Attending The Radical Practice of Black Curation: A Symposium was the one of the last nudges I needed to believe in myself and expand, to create a career that is in alignment with me. Hearing first-hand how the curators moved through times of great silence and going unnoticed all the while continuing their work was reassuring. There are times when you are working towards something and you wonder will it see the light of day? Will it reach those who it needs to reach? And some people will stop at these questions. But they continued with the work because if you stop, the work won’t see the light of day and it won’t reach or connect with anyone.
With this new courage, I decided it was time to go all in with my creative practice and endeavors. I have to navigate and wrestle with these thoughts because they can bring you down. Representation is so important, because if I didn’t attend The Radical Practice of Black Curation: A Symposium, I wouldn’t have made the moves I made in 2024 and I wouldn’t have met the people I needed to meet or cultivate new relationships.
I’m definitely in a new season and chapter of life, where I am leaning deeper into trust and faith and that everything with my creative practice will work out for the best. I can trust and believe that my gifts and talents will make space for me and will sustain me mentally, physically, financially, and spiritually. And here I thought doing all of my work was difficult moonlighting, it’s a new level entirely. All I can do is take it one moment at a time and honor my pace with respect to my personal ebb and flow. And so, I’ll see how it goes.
Jarifuller 
One thought on “Catalyst for Creative Agency: Reflection on The Radical Practice of Black Curation: A Symposium”