LAST CHANCE TO SEE KARA WALKER: CUT TO THE QUICK

BY MOCA STAFF

Sunday, October 2 is the last day to see the amazing work of internationally-recognized artist Kara Walker at MOCA Jacksonville. The museum is proud to host this exhibition, as the only museum in the Southeastern region of the United States to exhibit her work in a solo exhibition in the past few years. One of the most prominent artists working today, her work can currently be seen in solo and group exhibitions in Europe, Australia, and the U.S.

Kara Walker: Cut to the Quick, from the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation, is a retrospective exhibition featuring more than 80 works of art spanning the artist's career and including media ranging from prints and drawings to book art, sculpture, and film. Walker (b. 1969) is a contemporary African American artist known for her powerful and provocative images critiquing the painful legacies of slavery, gender violence, and exploitation.

Since the exhibition opened at MOCA Jacksonville in May 2022, thousands of visitors have been impacted by the deeply emotional imagery and themes in Walker's works. In this time of unrest in American society, Walker's works have resonated very strongly with visitors because of their relevance to current times and to the Jacksonville community. Showing in vivid detail the ways in which Black Americans have been included or excluded from our collective narratives for centuries, this exhibition has prompted a lot of feedback from visitors.

“So many stories and histories that are untold. Thank you for sharing, researching, collecting this important work”

“Walking through Kara Walker's exhibit made me feel like I was experiencing what my great great grandparents went through, and I believe, as a black child, that learning more about it through art is important. Her pieces really spoke to me and it's something I'll never forget.”

“The collection captures the essence of life in that era. It made me very emotional. Some of the pieces were provocative but necessary for bringing into light what is most of the times kept in darkness. Thank you very much.”

“I saw myself today, as I saw the people I came from. In some ways I was pride-filled. I - a black woman - came from women and men who survived unbelievable atrocities. But I was also pain-filled and humiliated that they would ever have to. I learned a lot about myself today. Today - this exhibit - was a reminder to do and be better in all thinks. I AM my ancestors' wildest dreams.”

“More exhibits like this need to be displayed - there's still so, so, so much about racism and how black people were treated that are either hidden from the public or wiped from history. As if such brutal acts were never committed by Americans. As if our black ancestors didn't go through hell. People have a tendency to shy away from topics pertaining to racism, and it's a problem. I hope many more see Kara's exhibit. I hope more artists work relating to our history can be put on display to educate people of the reality.”

“Seeing something of such meaning, of such true honesty, I've felt something different today that almost had me in tears. I will always look for you now Kara Walker. Thank you for your bravery”

“The art was intense, and beautiful. I hope it opens everyone's mind to the untold facts… My heart gets heavy looking and thinking about how much our people have been throught. An amazing representation. An amazing reminder. Thank you.”

“Walker's work pulls the past forward to the present… or, rather, illuminates how the past isn't ever really past at all. The work feels like catharsis and confrontation. Historical charicaures evoke an emotional response, since the violence sometimes depiced is grounded in lived realities that are often kept our of the mainstream historical memory. The bold lines and shapes demand that I pay attention. I can't ignore the story in front of me. This exhibit will stay with me for a long time.”

“Walker's art moved me in several ways. She made me dive deep into my soul to be grateful for the way my ancestors have paved for me to live a full life of possibilities. Her work made me angry, but showed power behind each piece. Although it evoked anger it reminded me of how blessed I am today.”

“Kara Walker's exhibit was arresting, intricately thoughtful, and poetic. I am grateful for her boldness in bringing visibility to the plight of African-Americans through the horrors of slavery. This work needs to be seen in its uncomfortable fullness.”

“It's important to have exhibitions such as these because even if racism, slavery or abuse isn't part of your personal history, it is part of our human history. We are all one.”

“The ways that I was moved today will stay with me forever.”

“The show was extremely thought provoking. The subject matter enlightened me. So many uses of literature and history. I never knew Kara did printmaking or had prints. As an artist this makes me want to create more.”

To experience Kara Walker: Cut to the Quick, visit MOCA Jacksonville in Downtown Jacksonville before it closes. The final day to see the exhibition in person is Sunday, October 2, 2022. More information about the exhibition.

The exhibition, drawn from the collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation, was originally organized for the Frist Art Museum, Nashville, TN by co-curators former Director of the Frist Art Museum Susan H. Edwards, and Nashville poet Ciona Rouse.

This exhibition is sponsored by Florida Blue. Support for art education initiatives has been provided through a Program Partnership Grant from the Douglas Anderson School of the Arts Foundation. Additional support was provided by the City of Jacksonville, the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the University of North Florida.