jammie holmes: EVERYTHING HURTS.
digital exhibition opens 16 June 2020
They’re Going to Kill Me (Los Angeles), 2020. Photo courtesy of Jammie Holmes and Library Street Collective. Photo by Azim Ohm.
Dallas Contemporary is proud to announce "EVERYTHING HURTS." a digital exhibition by Dallas-based artist Jammie Holmes, launching on 16 June 2020. The exhibition is supported by Detroit-based gallery Library Street Collective.
Featuring documentation from a public demonstration initiated by the artist on 30 May 2020, the project is presented to amplify and build upon Jammie Holmes’ response to the recent murder of George Floyd. Free programming, including remote panels and resources to inspire tangible actions against systemic racism, will accompany the exhibition: at least two remote panels will be hosted by Dallas Contemporary to further this important conversation and invite the North Texas community into this needed dialogue; moderators and participants will be announced in the coming weeks.
On 30 May 2020, airplanes with banners presenting Floyd’s final words extended across five cities, between the hours of 1130 and 2100 EDT. The messages connected cities across the United States to protesters across the country, demanding the end of police brutality against the African American community. The airplanes flew over Detroit, Miami, Dallas, Los Angeles and New York City. In Detroit the text read “Please I Can’t Breathe.” In Miami “My Stomach Hurts.” In Dallas “My Neck Hurts.” In Los Angeles “Everything Hurts.” and in New York “They’re Going To Kill Me.”
As a contemporary arts institution that grapples with complex issues of our time in one of the fastest growing metroplexes in our nation, Dallas Contemporary firmly believes in the power of artists' ideas and voices to chronicle and transform society. This project was made possible by Library Street Collective.
They’re Going to Kill Me (New York City), 2020. Photo courtesy of Jammie Holmes and Library Street Collective.
They’re Going to Kill Me (Miami), 2020. Photo courtesy of Jammie Holmes and Library Street Collective. Photo by Andre De Aguilar
artist statement
“This presentation is an act of social conscience and protest meant to bring people together in their shared incense at the inhumane treatment of American citizens. The deployment of Floyd’s last words in parts of its whole across the country underlines a need for unity and the conviction that what happened to George Floyd is happening all over America. An enduring culture of fear and hateful discrimination has only increased in its intensity since 2018, and a critical mass will no longer allow it to be ignored.
With this demonstration, I hope that people across the United States will use the outlets available to them to continue to demand change. The use of sky media to recount Floyd’s final words presents a contrast to the noise of digital media and employs a form of communication that is most often used by the privileged to announce sporting events, marriage proposals, or promote consumption. It is rarely used for political or social purposes - to exercise free speech - because it is an outlet unavailable to the poor and marginalized. I hope that people will be reminded of the power we can have to be heard and that coming together behind a unified message is key for real change.
Like countless silenced and fearful young Black men, I have been the victim of police misconduct on a number of occasions in my life. At some point, they will realize they can’t kill us all.
I hope that people across the United States will use the outlets available to them to continue to demand change. Please sign petitions to support the families of the latest victims in their pursuit of justice, and donate what you can.” - Jammie Holmes
let’s take action
Together with Jammie Holmes and the artist’s gallery, Library Street Collective, Dallas Contemporary encourages you to consider enacting change by signing petitions and donating at the below links, selected by the artist.
petitions via change.org
donations
Official George Floyd Memorial Fund
I Run with Maud GoFundMe to raise money for Ahmaud Arbery’s Mother
about jammie holmes
Jammie Holmes was born in Thibodaux, Louisiana, and is currently based in Dallas, Texas. Holmes is a self-taught, neo-expressionist, painter with a raw and energy ladened portfolio of work that addresses religious, political, and contemporary issues. Through his seminal use of color and recurring symbolism, Holmes creates works that provide viewers with a look into his complex thinking. In comparison to his normally stoic and reserved demeanor, Holmes' works burst with passion and theatrical expression. Although his paintings are beautiful at first glance, a closer look will uncover a darkness and vulnerability that are uniquely his. Born to a Sierra Leonean father and having grown up impoverished in Southern Louisiana, his expressive paintings are reflections of his upbringing and various social events around the world. Despite not having a formal art education, the intrinsic value and aesthetic reach of Holmes' work is steadily increasing within regional, national and international art worlds.
Earlier this year Holmes was in conversation with Dallas Contemporary’s Curatorial Associate, Emily Edwards. You may see the interview here.
let’s chat
#everythinghurts #jammieholmes #dallascontemporary