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The Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) in Michigan is hosting an exhibition titled “Mario Moore: Revolutionary Times”. The exhibition, which runs until August 18, 2024, features the work of Detroit-based artist Mario Moore, including large-scale paintings, silverpoint drawings, and works on paper that bridge America’s past and present and illuminate overlooked aspects of history. Moore’s paintings focus on the experiences of Black people in America, with series exploring the legacy of Black Union Soldiers in the Civil War and the history of Detroit’s Black community.
Grand Rapids Art Museum Unveils Mario Moore: Revolutionary Times Exhibition
The latest presentation of the Michigan Artist Series, Mario Moore: Revolutionary Times, was unveiled at the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) on April 27, 2024. This exhibition, running till August 18, features three recent collections from Detroit-based artist Mario Moore. The works include large-scale paintings, silverpoint drawings, and pieces on paper, blending America’s past and present to highlight overlooked narratives of history.
Revolutionary Times: Honoring Past and Present
GRAM’s Curator of Collections and Exhibitions, Jennifer Wcisel, expressed her admiration for Moore’s stirring paintings, which bring history to life. The exhibition features portraits of Moore’s family and friends represented as historical figures, such as Lucie and Thornton Blackburn, who escaped to Detroit from enslavement in the 1830s. These paintings skillfully blur the lines between past and present, bringing viewers closer to these impactful events.
A New Republic: Revisiting History
The first part of Revolutionary Times focuses on Moore’s series, A New Republic. It acknowledges the crucial role of Black Union Soldiers in the Civil War, sparked by Moore’s discovery of an enslaved ancestor who later joined the Union Army. By presenting present-day figures within historical settings, Moore underscores America’s enduring racial and political divides.
Midnight and Canaan: Celebrating Black Contributions
The second section features works from Moore’s Midnight and Canaan series, exploring the history and contributions of Black people in Detroit. The series title refers to code words used by abolitionists and freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad, with Midnight standing for Detroit and Canaan for Canada.
A New Frontier: Unveiling Hidden Legacies
The final section, A New Frontier, explores an earlier period in Detroit’s history when the fur trade was established along the Detroit River by French colonists. The series uncovers the parallel growth of the slave trade and fur trade, highlighting the exploitation of enslaved Black and Indigenous people. Moore uses contemporary models to underline the connections between historical figures and their legacies.
Overall, Revolutionary Times celebrates Black power and resistance, urging contemplation on Michigan’s Black pioneers and the legacies of resistance efforts that continue today. Visitors can also view Moore’s first bronze sculpture, Love, a recent addition to the Museum’s permanent collection, portraying his wife, Danielle.
About the Artist: Mario Moore
A Detroit native, Mario Moore earned a BFA from the College for Creative Studies and an MFA in Painting from the Yale School of Art. His work, focusing on the personal, social, and political implications of our segregated society, is found in numerous permanent collections, including the Grand Rapids Art Museum, Detroit Institute of Arts, and Princeton University Art Museum. Moore currently works and resides in Detroit.
Related Programs and Events
On June 13, 6:30 – 7:30 pm, an event titled, Seeding Change: Resilience and Art in Black Health and Wellbeing, invites the public to join a community conversation on resilience, trauma, and the arts’ positive impact on wellbeing.
Mario Moore: Revolutionary Times has been organized by the Flint Institute of Arts. The exhibition was made possible through generous support from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Daniel and Pamella DeVos Foundation, and the GRAM Exhibition Society.
Grand Rapids Art Museum: Connecting People through Art
Established in downtown Grand Rapids, the internationally renowned art museum is renowned for its distinguished LEED® Gold certified design. It houses over 6,500 works of art, and a growing collection in the area of design and modern craft. For museum hours and admission fees, visit artmuseumgr.org.
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