Curated by: Amy Andrieux, Richard Bryan, Mariama Jalloh
Dates: January 18 – February 24, 2019
Location: Central and Exterior Galleries @ 80 Hanson Place
Made possible by the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, NYS Council on the Arts and The High School of Fashion Industries
Press Preview: Friday, January 18 | 5-7 PM
Opening Reception: Friday, January 18 | 7-10 PM
SUMMARY
The Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA) kicks off its 20th anniversary year with Styles of Resistance: From the Corner to the Catwalk, an exhibit that traces the evolution of streetwear from its early origin within urban centers to its massive explosion into the mainstream. As told through the exploration of the historical context — political, social and economic– of the times by people of color, MoCADA hopes to celebrate and honor the designers and artists who began and continued to contribute to this ever-growing, creative space.
Opening January 18, MoCADA will highlight the creative ingenuity of the mavericks of what we know today as streetwear and urban fashion. Through the use of paintings, audio-visual presentations, and photography, along with clothing and accessories designed by fashion trailblazers of color, Styles of Resistance walks through four decades of streetwear: 70’s and 80’s, 90’s, 2000’s and present day.
Personal style has long been a conduit of creative expression for the Black community, most often reflecting the soul of the collective — passionate, deliberate, unapologetic. Since the late 1970s with the birth of hip-hop, streetwear has been a steady vehicle. Whether breaking barriers to unwelcoming sectors, creating new economies to provide opportunity en masse, building political platforms to rise up and be heard, or all of the above, Black people have always made something out of nothing as a means of survival.
Celebrate the origins of streetwear and urban fashion, and its evolution from the 1970s to now.
FEATURED DESIGNERS
coup d’etat BROOKLYN, Fila x Frank Cooker, FreshKills Vintage, FUBU, GODWIN, Johnny Nelson!, Karl Kani, Luxurious Villain, Melody Ehsani, Maurice Malone, Moshood, Pel, Philadelphia Print Works, PNB Nation, Sean John, Shirt King Phade, Spike’s Joint/40 Acres, Studio 189, The Peralta Project, Reebox x Social Status, Very Black, Walker Wear, Willi Wear, Xuly Bet, and more…
FEATURED ARTISTS
Alex Blaise, Anthony Akinbola, Aurelia Durand, Barry Johnson, Benji Reid, Dr. Fahamu Pecou, FWMJ, Hassan Hajjaj, Jamel Shabazz, Janette Beckman, Kendall Carter, Lakela Brown, Marc Baptiste, Michael Miller, Righteous Jones, Ronnie Rob, Technodrome1, TTK, Victoria Ford
A Music Playlist inspired by the exhibit by DJ/Music Supervisor Run P.
TOUR NOTES
Use MoCADA’s tour notes as your guide through the exhibit, which includes a deeper dive into our themes, the artists’ notes and bios, as well as a glossary for greater understanding of the exhibit’s subject matter. DOWNLOAD the Styles of Resistance tour notes (pdf).
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Your support goes in a long way in helping MoCADA create exhibitions and other special programs that benefit the community. Click GiveMo to give a gift today.
