Serena and Venus Williams, along with Dr. Anthony Fauci, Marian Wright Edelman, Ava DuVernay, José Andrés and Clive Davis have been chosen as the seven recipients to be honored at the National Portrait Gallery’s (NPG) upcoming “Portrait of a Nation” exhibition.
Housed at the Smithsonian’s art museum in Washington D.C., the award commends individuals who have made an extraordinary impact on American society. The new commissions will join over 23,000 permanent portraits that include Abraham Lincoln, Aretha Franklin, Frida Kahlo and Spike Lee.
Amongst the new permanent works, the institution tapped David Hockney, who created a vibrant depiction of Clive Davis, while Robert Pruitt painted a Double Portrait of Venus Williams. In the latter artwork, Pruitt, who is known for his conté style drawing, depicts the tennis phenom in stylish armor that exudes her confidence on-and-off the court.
Nigerian-born, New York-based artist, Toyin Ojih Odutola, was chosen to create a portrait of Serena which vibrantly imbues the player’s confidence but in a far more relaxed demeanor and which accentuates the artist’s use of color and texture.
Highlights also include Hugo Crosthwaite’s stop-motion animation of Dr. Fauci, who became the face of the US’ response to the COVID pandemic, along with a portrait of José Andrés by Kadir Nelson, Ava DuVernay by artist Kenturah Davis and a photographic portrait of Marian Wright Edelman, which was obtained by Ruven Afanador back in 2013.
“Portrait of a Nation” will be on view in Washington D.C. from November 10 to October 22, 2023.
Elsewhere, Glenn Lutz presents A MACHINE THAT MAKES at Guts Gallery in London.
National Portrait Gallery
8th St NW & G St NW
Washington, DC 20001
To accompany his recent book release, There’s Light, Glenn Lutz is currently showcasing a new solo exhibition at Guts Gallery in London that expands on the core tenets touched on through his practice relating to Black masculinity, sexuality, identity and mental wellness.
A MACHINE THAT MAKES prominently features a series of light boxes that are used as a metaphor for enlightenment, as the artist investigates themes pertaining commodification, identity, and the philosophy of “Collective Consciousness.” As the light draws viewers in, Lutz implores one to question appropriation and exploitation through photo-based artwork that ironically critiques what the artist believes to be the commercialization of Black men through a post-historical framework.
The exhibition offers a slice of what Lutz touches upon in There’s Light, which is packed with artwork, interviews and analysis that shows ways in which one can overcome trauma, systemic racism and social injustices.
Lutz commented further:
“When we unpack our traumas individually and in communal settings; when we focus on our similarities and engage in healthy, vulnerable conversations with growth-minded individuals, and when we examine our biases, stereotypes, and experiences honestly, we begin to heal. That is what There’s Light is. It doesn’t only serve as a catalyst for healthy change in the black community, but it also creates light. I believe that light can be a small shift in the ever-growing battle for peace and justice in these tumultuous times.”
A MACHINE THAT MAKES is approaching its final days on view and will conclude at Guts Gallery on November 3. Meanwhile, you can grab a copy of There’s Light for $69.99 USD at Barnes & Noble.
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