"Before and After Again" is a compelling exhibition currently on display at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum until the end of September. This artistic endeavor was born out of the tragic mass shooting that occurred on May 14, 2022, in Buffalo, New York, where an 18-year-old white supremacist killed ten Black residents. The exhibition serves as a poignant reflection on the incident's profound impact on the local community and beyond.
The show features the collaborative works of Jillian Hanesworth, the city's poet laureate at the time; Julia Bottoms, a renowned portrait painter; and Tiffany Gaines, a respected writer and artist. These creators embarked on a journey to process the collective trauma following the tragedy by engaging with survivors and families of the victims. They adopted a sensitive approach during their interactions, only discussing the events of May 14 if the participants initiated it, thereby respecting the grieving process.
The art presented in "Before and After Again" is a result of these intimate conversations. It delves into themes of communal grief, resilience, and the ongoing struggle against systemic racism. The exhibition highlights include a series of emotionally charged portraits and still lifes by Bottoms, as well as prose and poetry by Gaines and Hanesworth, respectively. These pieces not only memorialize the lost lives but also challenge viewers to confront the underlying societal issues that contribute to such acts of violence, including redlining and food insecurity.
The Buffalo AKG Art Museum has recently undergone an expansion to better serve its mission of fostering community engagement and accessibility. In alignment with this goal, "Before and After Again" is situated in a gallery linked to a newly enclosed courtyard, and admission is free. The layout of the exhibition allows visitors to navigate the space freely, reflecting on the solemn yet tender artwork, which includes portraits of community members offering comfort and solidarity.
Among the most striking pieces are Bottoms's atmospheric still lifes, which encapsulate personal and collective narratives. One notable painting, "Blow Out The Candles And Wish For Better," utilizes symbolic elements like a birthday cake with candles to reference the broader context of hate crimes in America. Additionally, the strategic placement of the portraits, particularly "Memento," which depicts a young Black man holding a gold lion statue, serves as a potent reminder of the exhibition's call to action.
Jean Dubreil