New Exhibition Opens in Weems Gallery January 24

A new exhibition, I Carry Them On My Back, Of Course!, opens in Meredith College’s Weems Gallery on January 24, and is on view through March 11, 2022.

In I Carry Them On My Back, Of Course!, mixed media artist Alexandria Clay presents a body of work that eagerly searches for shelter from the trauma of experiencing marginalizing spaces. Spanning over several years, her work arrives at the questioning of origins of “safe spaces;” how are they conceived, and who is maintaining them? In Clay’s experience, Black matriarchs constantly craft and preserve places of refuge in her community–-a practice that is due in part to domestic expectation. In the most recent work, Clay contends with this undervalued labor and the impact it has on the women in her life. 

Through a series of multimedia collages that construct ideal worlds, followed by an expanding practice in portraiture, Clay aims to bring a specific, emotional trial to light, and to make known the invisible efforts that sustain her community. 

This exhibition is presented by The Black on Black Project and funded in part by the Kenan Fund.

Exhibition Events: 

Opening Reception: Thursday, January 27 from 5-8 p.m.

Curated Conversation with Michael S. Williams and Alexandria Clay
Join mixed media artist Alexandria Clay on Thursday, February 3 at 7 p.m. as she discusses themes of her latest body of work, I Carry Them On My Back, of Course! Clay will discuss how Black matriarchs preserve such places of refuge but often see their impact go undervalued. Black On Black Project founder Michael S. Williams will facilitate the conversation with Clay, which will include a suggested reading list for viewers. The conversation will take place virtually through a Zoom webinar.  Register for the Curated Conversation

Workshop with Featured Artist: Saturday, February 26 *Reserved for Meredith students* More information to follow.

Closing Reception: Thursday, March 3 from 5-8 p.m.

Visit gallery.meredith.edu/visit/ for more information on the Weems Gallery, including directions and gallery hours.