News Summary

LaKela Brown and Mario Moore, two Detroit-native artists, present their joint exhibition ‘Beneath Our Feet’ at the Library Street Collective. The exhibition runs until July 30 and focuses on themes of Black legacy, community, and economic sovereignty. Highlighting the impacts of redevelopment and gentrification, their collaborative bronze coin sculpture symbolizes cultural significance and representation. Visitors are encouraged to engage with the artworks which reflect on identity and heritage, fostering discussions about community stewardship in Detroit.

Detroit

Detroit-native artists LaKela Brown and Mario Moore have unveiled their joint exhibition titled “Beneath Our Feet”, which addresses themes such as Black legacy, community, and economic sovereignty. The exhibition is currently being showcased at the Library Street Collective and will run until July 30. The gallery is open from Wednesday to Saturday, 12 PM to 6 PM.

The two artists embarked on this project following discussions about significant changes in their hometown due to redevelopment and gentrification. Concerned about the implications of these transformations for long-term residents, they emphasize the importance of ensuring that these developments benefit the community. Their exhibition combines various mediums including sculpture and painting, culminating in a collaborative bronze coin sculpture that serves as the centerpiece.

The five-foot-wide bronze coin symbolizes history, culture, nourishment, and representation, with two distinct sides. The tail side, crafted by LaKela Brown, features collard greens, a vegetable that holds cultural importance in African-American cuisine. On the reverse side, Mario Moore created a portrait of Brown, which includes a reference to a quote by Sojourner Truth. Together, the coin embodies their innovative exploration of representation and cultural identity.

Brown’s artistic endeavors often delve into themes of representation, pairing her work with explorations of alternative economies associated with coins. In contrast, Moore’s recent paintings are inspired by 17th-century Dutch garland devotional paintings, reinterpreted to reflect narratives of Black ownership and agriculture. Interestingly, each artist produced their respective side of the coin in different cities, with Moore based in Detroit and Brown in New York, showcasing the broader influences in their artistic expressions.

“Beneath Our Feet” conveys a powerful message about economic independence within the Black community, positioning the artists’ agency at the forefront. Brown hopes the exhibition sparks meaningful discussions around community building and land stewardship among residents. Through creative representations of family gathering traditions and sensory memories tied to food, Brown’s sculptures evoke the cultural significance of nourishment and communal experiences in Black domestic life.

Through their work, both artists encourage viewers to reflect on their own heritages and the inherent value of their shared legacy. The exhibition highlights the importance of memory, place, and stewardship in fostering a vibrant community culture in Detroit.

The recent opening reception for “Beneath Our Feet” attracted a diverse audience, eager to engage with the thought-provoking themes presented. Visitors can still immerse themselves in this compelling display, which not only serves as an artistic endeavor but also as a cultural commentary relevant to the ongoing evolution in Detroit.

LaKela Brown and Mario Moore’s collaborative effort is not just an exhibition but a call to action, urging people to consider their roles for the future of their communities while honoring the legacies of those who came before them.

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Additional Resources

• Michigan Chronicle: Beneath Our Feet
• Bridge Detroit: The Art Beneath Our Feet
• Colossal: Mario Moore Oil Paintings
• Mutual Art: LaKela Brown – Mario Moore
• Belt Magazine: My Life in Oil