Knowing Who We Are: The Contemporary Dialogue

Jade Thiraswas, Aunt Natana and Her Blooming Azaleas, Ocean Springs, Mississippi, 2021, Pigment print, Gift of Sesthasak Boonchai

January 28, 2023 – July 23, 2023

Contemporary experiences of place and identity in the American South are myriad, situational and decidedly in flux. This selection of works from Ogden Museum of Southern Art’s permanent collection considers the many ways artists throughout the region explore concepts of process, material and identity through diverse media and practices. Knowing Who We Are: The Contemporary Dialogue – while focusing primarily on works by contemporary artists – also includes works by earlier artists who have contributed significantly to the current dialogue. By placing artists such as Benny Andrews, Robert Gordy, George Dureau, Sam Doyle, Purvis Young and Clementine Hunter in the context of more contemporary artists – the present is linked to the past to facilitate a conversation on the social narratives and formal considerations within Southern Art. Together, these works illustrate how Southern artists are actively engaging with their region and with the rest of the world through their practice and how Ogden Museum is filling a critical role in confronting the past, embracing the future and bridging the reconciliation of both.

Artists in this exhibition include:

Katrina Andry, Luis Cruz Azaceta, James Bettison, Amita Bhatt, Willie Birch, Jacqulin Bishop, Christa Blackwood, Douglas Bourgeois, Steve Brudniak, Jeffrey Cook, Jennifer Ling Datchuk, Stephen Paul Day, Dawn DeDeaux, Christian Đinh, Sam Doyle, George Dureau, Lin Emory, Justin Forbes, Robert Gordy, Frank Hayden, Lonnie Holley, Jammie Holms, Horton Humble, Clementine Hunter, Susan Jamison, Tommy Kha, MaPo Kinnord, Alexa Kleinbard, Sharon Kopriva, Ronald Lockett, Shirley Rabe Masinter, Chandra McCormick, Alexis McGrigg, Michael Meads, Mark Messersmith, Kristin Meyers, Ruth Owens, Mario Petrirena, Pat Phillips, Frank Relle, RaMell Ross, Dan Rule, Sheldon Scott, Louis St. Lewis, Jade Thiraswas, José Torres-Tama, John Isiah Walton, Susan Worsham and Purvis Young.

Support Knowing Who We Are Shop The Contemporary Dialogue

MADE POSSIBLE BY THE
TERRA FOUNDATION
FOR AMERICAN ART

Major Sponsor
Tracy Copeland
Roger H. Ogden & Ken Barnes
Michael Wilkinson

Contributing Sponsor
New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund

Supporting Sponsor
Jason Waguespack & Jeffery Morgan
Gregory Holt & Lucy Burnett

Partner
Eugenie and Joseph Jones Family Foundation
Stuart B. Hurt
Catherine Makk
Holly & Geoff Snodgrass
Charles D. Urstadt & David Bernard

Host Committee
Anonymous
Baylee Badway
Ron Bechet
Suzie & Ted Bloch III M.D.
Steven, Erin & Ethan Chevalier
Harrison & Veronica Cho
Brady & Scott Cunningham
Beverly Dale
Mollye & Laurent Demosthenidy
Debra J. Fischman
Monica Frois & Eve Masinter in Honor of Shirley Rabé Masinter
Ariel & L. Kasimu Harris
Jessie & Beau Haynes
Donna & Jack Little
Matthew B. Moreland
MR: a visual communication studio
Don & Lola Norris
Alan Rothschild
Schley Family Foundation
Laura & Sonny Shields
Nathalie Simon
William & Jane Sizeler
Micki Beth Stiller
Sarah Story & Chris Ragland
Troy Scroggins
Carla & Cleophus Thomas, Jr.
Erica J. Washington
Fern & Kevin Watters
Jennie Cannon West & Jason Richards
Sharonda R. Williams
Penny Weaver in memory of Ersy Schwartz
Justin I. Woods