MIAMI, FLA.- Pérez Art Museum Miami presents Allied with Power: African and African Diaspora Art from the Jorge M. Pérez Collection, an exhibition of over 40 works by international African and African Diaspora artists on view from the collection of longtime board member, PAMM supporter and namesake Jorge M. Pérez. Valued at over $2.5 million, the entire exhibition has been generously pledged to PAMM’s permanent collection by Jorge M. and Darlene Pérez. The exhibition, which opens on November 7 when PAMM reopens to the public, presents a provocative group of 39 artists hailing from Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, and the US.
Addressing themes of identity, colonialism, spirituality, everyday life, and abstraction, the exhibition highlights artists whose works embody the vast complexities of the contemporary moment. Collapsing national borders, the artists in the exhibition ally with power, and with each other, embodying a kaleidoscope of voices that declare their artistic authority. Exhibition highlights include artists such as Stanley Whitney, recognized for his stacked and grid compositions of saturated colors, and Zanele Muholi, represented by two large-scale self-portraits that assert the power and beauty of the artist's skin and gender. Allied with Power provides a conceptual framework through which we understand the legacy and prowess of artists of color in the world.
“Mr. Pérez’s recent acquisitions showcase the breadth, sophistication, and incredible tenacity of African and contemporary African diaspora artists. The exhibition is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the connections between Black artists from the US, Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean, alongside African artists—all asserting their power to be seen, recognized and critically acclaimed. Considering the times that we are living today, this exhibition is a breath of confidence and strength,” said PAMM Curator María Elena Ortiz.
The exhibition includes works by artists Igshaan Adams, Juan Carlos Alom, Firelei Báez, María Magdalena Campos-Pons, Kudzanai Chiurai, Jonathas de Andrade, Edouard Duval-Carrié, Tomás Esson, Genevieve Gaignard, Sam Gilliam, David Goldblatt, Sonia Gomes, Nicholas Hlobo, Pieter Hugo, Kudzanai-Violet Hwami, Rashid Johnson, Isaac Julien, Kiluanji Kia Henda, David Koloane, Guido Llinás, Arjan Martins, Misheck Masamvu, Manuel Mendive, Zanele Muholi, Odili Donald Odita, Naudline Pierre, Robin Rhode, Deborah Roberts, Chéri Samba, Yinka Shonibare, Elias Sime, Pascale Marthine Tayou, Mickalene Thomas, Guy Tillim, Kara Walker, Stanley Whitney, Sue Williamson, and Portia Zvavahera. Though a number of Allied with Power artists have shown at the museum before, several are exhibiting at PAMM for the first time, including Zanele Muholi, Sonia Gomes, Jonathas de Andrade, Kiluanji Kia Henda, Chéri Samba, Nicholas Hlobo, and Genevieve Gaignard.
The Pérez family’s gift also marks the addition of many notable firsts to PAMM’s collection, including the first artworks by artists Mickelene Thomas, Yinka Shonibare, Stanley Whitney, Chéri Samba, David Koloane, Sonia Gomes, David Goldblatt, Jonathas de Andrade, and Martin Arjans, in addition to the first artworks by artists from Cameroon, Angola, and Zimbabwe. Longtime supporters of Miami’s arts community, Jorge and Darlene Pérez share PAMM’s mission of highlighting diverse artistic perspectives from Miami and around the world. This gift further reflects the Pérez family and PAMM’s shared commitment to supporting excellence in international contemporary art and drawing attention to remarkable talents.
“Allied With Power not only drives a powerful dialogue around topics explored by African and African Diaspora artists, but also furthers the museum’s goal of being truly representative of the Miami community,” said Jorge M. Pérez, founder and chairman of leading development firm theRelated Group and The Jorge M. Pérez family Foundation. “Too often, such artists are relegated to the margins of history, so my hope is for this show to help shine a light on their incredible work. I look forward to continuing to explore this new area, both in my personal collection and through joint exhibits such as this one.”
Through a large donation of Cuban art in 2017, an earlier donation of Latin American art in 2011, and significant gifts through acquisition funds, the Jorge M. and Darlene Pérez family has added more than 500 works of modern and contemporary art to PAMM’s permanent collection. Allied with Power: African and African Diaspora Art from the Jorge M. Pérez Collection celebrates their most recent acquisitions, which consists of a sizable selection of work by international African and African Diaspora artists in a range of artistic mediums, including sculpture, photography, drawing, video, and painting. Inspired by his upbringing in a number of Latin American countries, Pérez began collecting the work of Cuban and Afro-Latino artists several years ago. Recently, he has expanded that focus to include artists of the full African Diaspora. Allied with Power shows the result of these years of dedicated effort and exploration.
Allied with Power gives audiences the unique opportunity to view the wide scope of African and African Diasporic contemporary art within the local, national, and global context. The exhibition exemplifies PAMM’s commitment to serving underrepresented communities and heralds the diversity of African American and African Diasporic discourses on the global stage.
