Dean’s Gallery hosts inspiring ‘Black Resistance’ exhibit

Image: “Sankofa” by Sharon Hadley-Carter

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The Dean’s Gallery at Fresno State is hosting an inspiring art exhibit called “Black Resistance” as part of the campus’ Black History Month celebrations. This exhibit features a collection of thought-provoking artwork from several talented Black artists, showcasing their powerful expressions of resistance, resilience and hope in the face of systemic racism and oppression. Through various mediums, including paintings, drawings and textiles, this exhibit invites viewers to reflect on the ongoing struggle for racial justice and the important role of art in amplifying marginalized voices.

The “Black Resistance” exhibition runs through March 3 in Dean’s Gallery (MB186) at the entrance to the Dean’s Office.

Here’s how faculty coordinator Vanessa Addison-Wiliam, an Art, Design and Art History Department instructor, describes the exhibit.

“Black Resistance” is the 2023 national theme for Black History Month. The theme is named each year by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). The organization was founded in 1915 by Carter G. Woodson, who also founded Black History Month.

The Black Resistance exhibition celebrates Black History Month with featured works by Fresno State students, alumni, faculty and Central Valley artists. The works on display are a small sector of African American life experience reflecting tropes of self-preservation and liberation through resilience, social transformation, equality, freedoms and justice over historical and ongoing mindless oppressions. 

With intellect and sensibility, the Black Resistance exhibition seeks to inspire ALL viewers to delve beyond the aesthetics for further enlightenment of the victories and triumphs and the failures and imperfections experienced by African Americans throughout the histories of our national narratives. 

“Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.”  – Carter G. Woodson.