“IN CONVERSATION” WITH ALFRED CONTEH AT ART ON THE 9INES

Pigment International’s Activation at Art on the 9ines

Atlanta Based Artist Alfred Conteh joined Pigment International® at Artists on the 9ines on 79th Street on Saturday to talk about his practice, finding his artistic community, and his show IT IS WHAT IT IS! that opened this weekend at Kavi Gupta Gallery. Conteh was in conversation with Chanelle Lacy, director at the eponymous West Loop gallery. He talked about starting his college career intent on majoring in graphic design and ended receiving his BFA from Hampton University.

The born and raised Georgian says he has no intention of leaving his southern base, it is “who he is.” Just as White,Hendricks, Sherrald and Bey, his works elevate those who populate our everyday lives ‘mothers, workers, children and hustlers.’ And it calls attention to the ‘social, economic, educational and psychological’ wars being waged in American cities. Pigment International partnered with Kavi Gupta on Conteh’s attendance at the soft launch of the 79th Street space. His work was also featured in the 2020 edition of Pigment Magazine. Nedra Sims Fears, executive director of the Greater Chatham Initiative (GCI) welcomed everyone to the space.

His show ALFRED CONTEH, IT IS WHAT IT IS opened that evening at Kavi Gupta Gallery and continues through March 4th.

IT IS WHAT IT IS continues through March 4th at Kavi Gupta Gallery

BUT THAT BLACK WALL THOUGH!

Borrowing liberally from some of the mazing exhibits we’ve seen this year, The Afro-Futurist Manifesto in Venice mounted by Galerie Myrtis, and Neema Fine Art Gallery’s exhibition at the 1–54 Show in NYC, it’s clear the Black gallery wall is everything, we tried it. Pared with amazing art by some of the city’s best how could it not be amazing. Thanks to Martha Wade, Paul Branton, Dana Todd Pope, Phil Cotton, James Nelson, D. Lamar Preston, Barrett Keithley and our youngest artist Brenda Dickerson for making this a must see spot in Greater Chatham.

Join on Saturday, November 26th for Small Business Saturday when we talk Afro-Futurism. Coming off of the success of Wakanda Forever what better topic, and what better subject matter than art.

We’re open Friday and Saturday from noon — 7:00 p.m. at 735 E. 79th Street. And visit the Black Mall, next door at 737 S. 79th for unique and handmade gift items.

Read this week’s newsletter here.