Home / Arts and Entertainment / Pioneering Aljira Gallery Honored at Newark Museum
Pioneering Aljira Gallery Honored at Newark Museum
1 Nov
Summary
- Aljira, a nonprofit gallery, supported emerging artists of color.
- The exhibition 'Dreamtime in Newark' features 67 works.
- The gallery played a crucial role in fostering inclusive art.
- The exhibition runs until June 20.
A new exhibition at the Newark Museum of Art is shedding light on the profound influence of Aljira, a groundbreaking nonprofit gallery. Founded in Newark in 1983 by artists Victor Davson and Carl E. Hazlewood, Aljira was instrumental in supporting artists of color, many of whom are now at the forefront of the global contemporary art scene.
The exhibition, titled "Dreamtime in Newark: Aljira and the Making of Global Contemporary Art," is on view through June 20. It meticulously showcases 67 works by 46 artists who were featured by Aljira during its 35-year tenure. This presentation makes visible the gallery's significant, albeit historically underrecognized, contributions to a more expansive and inclusive art world.
Aljira's legacy is highlighted through pieces by prominent artists such as Derrick Adams, El Anatsui, Firelei Báez, and Mickalene Thomas, among others. The exhibition's placement within the Newark Museum is particularly meaningful, symbolizing a bridge between different eras and institutions in the art world, according to museum director Lisa Funderburke.
