New School Recollection Exhibit

The Recollection exhibit is different than the other galleries at our school because it is made up of various artists in the New School’s art collection rather than current student work. Each piece was picked due to its relevance in modern society. I personally enjoyed the idea of looking at a dated piece of art that could challenge me to think about today’s issues and conflicts. One concept I found pretty cohesive in the collection was the idea of change. I found the most obvious representation of change was demonstrated by the work of Carrie Mae Weems and Renee Cox. Weems’ Black Boy Said shows a young black boy feeling out of place in a white world. Take a step to the next piece Liberty in South Bronx by Renee Cox and you are looking at a black woman displaying her pride in her heritage and race. These two pieces encouraged me to reflect on how the United States has changed over the years, and how I would like it to continue to evolve and change. Weems, Cox, and the other artists in this exhibit represented new perspectives and forced me to digest their work with an open, exploratory mind. This recollection of art proved that a powerful piece can depict a message that will continue to be relatable throughout future social and political controversies.