WILLIAM VILLALONGO
Here the exotism of the Other takes the form of Josephine Baker, Jazz Age performer and Belle of Paris. Baker wears a Modernist abstract painting as a mask turning the tables on the French women of Les Demoiselles d'Avignon with their African masks. Baker reminds us of the importance of outside influences as a source of inspiration, the arts of Africa playing a pivotal role in the development of the art and culture of the West.
Exhibitions
"William Villalongo: Myths and Migrations," Grinnell College Museum of Art, Grinnell, IA, 26 January 2024 - 6 April 2024; traveled to the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, Madison, WI, 4 May 2024 - 18 August 2024; Museum of Art, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 13 September - 21 December 2024; Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA, 15 May 2025 - 31 August 2025.
"Look at Me Now!” curated by Allison Glenn, Monique Meloche Gallery, Chicago, IL, 13 June 2015 - 23 August 2015.
"New Mythologies," The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts and Culture in Charlotte, NC, 26 October 2013 - 20 January 2014.
"William Villalongo," Scarfone Hartley Gallery, University of Tampa, FL, 1 March 2013 - 29 March 2013.
"Sista Ancesta," Susan Inglett Gallery, NYC, 18 October 2012 - 24 November 2012.