Shawn Theodore's 'Church of Broken Pieces' presents concepts of race, spirituality, patriarchy, matriarchy and class structure within disappearing Black communities
"Church of Broken Pieces," an exhibition by Philadelphia-based street photographer Shawn Theodore will be on view at the Richard Beavers Gallery in Bedford Stuyvesant from September 16, to October 29.
In "Church of Broken Pieces," Theodore presents a body of photographs made on the streets of Philadelphia's African American neighborhoods, many of which are endangered by gentrification. The exhibition, named after a church close to Theodore's childhood home, explores the psychic, physical and technological translocation of black America.
Theodore's photos are a testament to the success of the movements toward plural black identities and free safe black digital spaces, such as Black Twitter, and futures - despite threats such as displacement/gentrification, socioeconomic disparity and violence which are still omnipresent dangers in the African American experience.
As a multidisciplinary artist, Theodore employs photography, video and collage as his means of artistic expression. A defiant brand of black artistry, his work focuses on the fragmentation and manipulation of African American and African diaspora identities, while exploring concepts of race, spirituality, patriarchy, matriarchy and class structure within disappearing Black communities.
Theodore debuted his first solo exhibition at The African American Museum in Philadelphia earlier this year.
The exhibition's opening reception will take place on Saturday, September 16. Theodore will join the gallery for an artist conversation and a screening of his work on Sunday, September 17. RSVPs are required to attend these events.
'Church of Broken Pieces' by Shawn Theodore, on view from September, 16 to October, 29, at the Richard Beavers Gallery, 408 Marcus Garvey Blvd., Brooklyn, New York 11216.
Opening Reception: September 16, 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Please RSVP here.
Shawn Theodore - Artist Conversation and Screening: Sunday, September 17, 3:00pm to 5:00pm. Please RSVP here.
