Introduction to the Exhibit

The idea of Identity is multifaceted: there is the identity that society places on a person based on physical appearances, but there is also an individual’s personal identity. Societal identity determines how other people treat an individual, while personal identity determines how a person treats themselves and the world. In completing the process to uncover one's identity, an individual must purge oneself of their double consciousness and the monolithic view of blackness. The removal of those views allows an individual to unearth and appreciate the beauty of blackness as a whole. After the purging, an individual is able to do away with societal interpretations of blackness, embrace the idea of self acceptance, and find their own individuality. An individual’s mind, body, and soul are the determinants of their identity; furthermore, the interconnection of those determinants allows an individual to begin their own journey of self-actualization to create a unique identity. In terms of Black artists depicting Black beauty, after discovering what it means to be Black and how the mind, soul, and body play into that, both the artist and the viewer can truly understand and appreciate Blackness as a whole.