Acceptance, Identity, and Circumstance
Atlanta Art Week Event:
Acceptance, Identity, and Circumstance | Westside
Friday Oct 4, 2024 | Artist/Curator Talk 8pm featuring Jeremiah Ojo
Open Studio Tours | OCTOBER 5TH, 2024 | 1:00 - 3:00PM
THE MET | 680 MURPHY AVE SW. ATLANTA, GA 30310
Sunday: Oct 6, 2024 | Closing Reception + Film Screening: "The Unseen Majority" and director talk w/ Dr. Arshley Everley featuring Everley Davis 6-8pm
About Event: "Acceptance: Identity & Circumstance" showcases a compelling new body of work by acclaimed Atlanta artist Alfred Conteh, whose art reflects the challenges faced by Black communities, particularly in the liberal enclaves of Atlanta surrounded by the conservative South. Conteh's large-scale works invite viewers to reflect on their own experiences with acceptance and identity, exploring the intersection of personal narratives and broader societal issues.
This work navigates the delicate balance between progress and struggle through the eyes of a Generation X artist with deep roots in the small towns of the South. Alfred Conteh's current work is not just art; it is a raw, honest testament to the social, economic, educational, and psychological battles that Black communities continue to face, both from within and without. The portraits captured in this series stand as lasting testaments in this series, not just to the culture and people they represent, but to the enduring and often unseen struggles that shape their lives.
Curated by Courtney Brooks, this exhibition offers a rare opportunity to connect with Conteh's deeply personal and powerful exploration of Black identity, its struggles, its resilience, and its triumphs. Paired with a screening of "The Unseen Majority," a documentary by Dr. Arshley Emile of TIMBERHOUSEFILMS and followed by a director's conversation with Everley Davis, assistant curator and community engagement coordinator for the Peoria Riverfront Museum, The documentary adds layers of understanding to the themes explored in Conteh's work, allowing viewers to see beyond the surface and into the heart of the artist's profound commentary on the Black experience. The Unseen Majority" is sponsored by Oak River Foundation, Ron Givens and Family, and commissioned by the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
About Artist: Alfred Conteh is a contemporary American artist who creates powerful, thought-provoking pieces that explore the complexities of identity, history, and social justice. Conteh uses a variety of mediums, including painting, drawing and sculpture, to create artworks about race and power in society. As a classically trained artist, who has practiced his craft for more than 20 years. After earning a Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts from Hampton University, Conteh continued his formal education at Georgia Southern University; earning a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts. His artwork can be found in public , private collections and in the permanent collections of the Arkansas Arts Center, Little Rock, AR; Bajeel Art Foundation, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, MN; Museum of Arts and Sciences Permanent Collection, Macon, GA; Petrucci Family Foundation Collection of African American Art, Ashbury, NJ; Tubman Museum Permanent Collection, Macon, GA; Georgia Southern University Permanent Collection, Statesboro, GA; Georgia Southwestern University Permanent Collection, Swainsboro, GA; Hammonds House Museum Permanent Collection, Atlanta, GA; United Talent Agency, Beverly Hills, CA; and United Way Corporate Collection, Atlanta, GA
About Curator:
Courtney Brooks, an Atlanta-based curator and multidisciplinary visual artist, is a visionary force in the art world. With roots in Denver and a BFA in Digital Design, she has carved a dynamic path over more than a decade, curating over 20 transformative solo and group exhibitions that blend community engagement with artistic innovation. As the founder of Journey of a Black Girl, Brooks champions the voices of creatives, leading significant projects like the Reflection of Change mural series on the Atlanta BeltLine and serving as the inaugural Curator-In-Residence for this pivotal public art initiative.
Brooks has fruitful experiences with NBAF public arts programming, a feature on City Lights with Lois Reitzes, WABE radio in conversation about Dr. Doris Derby: Now is the Day Archival exhibition at the ArtsXchange, Award winning Docu Series Our Voices. Our Lives. from WFJRFilms and podcast interview with Room C powered by Cobb County Public Library. Her expertise extends beyond Atlanta, having curated for the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition and participated in national exhibitions such as Jack Daniel's Arts, Beats, and Lyrics. Known for her ability to bridge art with social narratives, Brooks currently oversees UUCA's Pulgram Art Gallery, where she curates exhibitions that resonate with spiritual and justice-oriented themes. Her work is distinguished by its collaborative spirit, bringing together artists, communities, and cultural dialogues in powerful, lasting ways.
About Director: Dr. Arshley Emile is a Director, award-winning cinematographer, and one of the Executive Producers of "Losing Eric Garner." His passion for filmmaking was sparked at just eight years old, but it wasn’t until he embarked on a dissertation exploring racism in public schools that he recognized his deep love for visual arts extended well beyond academic pursuits. Instead of following a traditional academic path, Dr. Emile chose to pursue a journey that ultimately led to a successful career in film.
Now a full-time creator, Dr. Emile has gained recognition at numerous film festivals, most notably winning Best Documentary for 2023 at the Macon Georgia Film Festival. This achievement, along with other accolades, highlights his exceptional talent, especially given his relatively short time in the industry. He recently completed his latest documentary short, "The Unseen Majority," which is a portrait of nationally known artist Fred Conteh.
Dr. Emile’s body of work is diverse, encompassing projects for television news programs, corporations, music videos, and materials for public schools and nonprofit organizations. His primary focus is on portraying the Black and Brown community in a positive light, striving to counter the negative racial narratives historically perpetuated by the media and society. Proficient in all aspects of production—from research and scriptwriting to interviewing, filming, and editing—Dr. Emile is the creative force behind "Losing Eric Garner."
About Peoria Riverfront Museum:
The only multidisciplinary museum of its kind in the nation, the Peoria Riverfront Museum uses art, science, history and achievement to inspire confidence, lifelong learning, and talent. Since opening in 2012, the privately funded museum has provided more than one million experiences through major exhibitions, a permanent collection, interactive galleries, a dome planetarium, giant screen theater and educational programming including curricula-related student visits. The AAM-accredited, Smithsonian-affiliated private nonprofit museum is supported by more than 4,000 members and donors, and is housed in a county-owned LEED Gold-certified building on a campus overlooking the Illinois River. The museum has been designated one of the 200 great places in Illinois by the American Institute of Architects.
The museum manages a permanent collection of 15,000 objects and organizes more than 20 self-curated and visiting exhibitions annually in five major galleries and twenty-five total display spaces. The museum has more than 200 community and national program and content partners, including affiliation with the Smithsonian.
Everley Davis is the assistant curator and community engagement coordinator at the Peoria Riverfront Museum. In addition to managing the museum’s innovative flagship program, the Every Student Initiative, Everley also works closely with the team of curators to provide interpretation and program opportunities for the community. Recently, she spearheaded the commission and acquisition of Alfred Conteh's first museum-commission of a portrait featuring a subject outside of Atlanta. She has curated exhibitions like “Life and Legacy of Annie Malone,” and co-curated “Glenn Ligon: I Am Somebody,” served as executive producer for “The Unseen Majority,” associate producer and historian for Bronzeville to Harlem documentary and writes articles for the Bronzeville to Harlem affinity, a group of readers interested in Black art, culture and history.
Jeremiah Olayinka Ojo is an artist, educator, and cultural entrepreneur who combines urban & business design to uplift historically Black communities. He is Founder of Creative Milieu, a business advisory firm, and Ilèkùn Wa, an artist advisory program that specializes in creative enterprise development, coaching and advising businesses within the creative economy on strategy, placemaking, and entrepreneurial education. Jeremiah also currently serves as the Senior Fellow of Social Innovation at the Brooklyn Arts Council.
website and IG handles: alfredconteh.com | @aaconteh , @cbrooksart @timberhousefilms @riverfrontmuseum, @howtallareyou
Hours of Operation:
Gallery hours
Wed, 12-5pm
Thurs: 12-5pm
Fri:12-5pm
Sat: 12-5pm
Sun: 12-5pm