Art meets history in “The Unvarnished Truth”
Tulsa’s Liggett Studio is host to a new exhibit commemorating the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
“The Unvarnished Truth: Local Black Artists Give Their Impressions on the 1921 Massacre” opened May 7th and continues through June 1st. The exhibit is described as the expressions of Tulsa African-american Artists in response to the tragic event 100 years ago in which hundreds, perhaps more, black Tulsans were massacred by an organized white mob in the area known as “Black Wall Street.”
Art has the ability to illuminate aspects of humanity, from the joyful to the evil, in a way that is arguably more visceral than historical text, and this is certainly evident in the works on display at The Unvarnished Truth.
Captivating pieces from visual artists Don Thompson, Marsha Francine Campbell, Alex Tamahn, Gay Pasley, and Yusuf Etudaiye join forces with poetry by Barbara Eikner to create an experience that is not only unique in its own right, but is sure to speak individually to each person who visits the gallery.
“What I wanted to do with this show was give voice to the black artists of our community that I felt like were exceptional,” studio owner and exhibit curator Steve Liggett told La Semana. “I asked several and these five agreed to work together with me. So, about six months ago, I invited each of them to make four to five new pieces that would show what they felt about the hundred year anniversary of the 1921 Tulsa Massacre.”
Poet Barbara Eikner was also brought into the project, and the combination of the visual and poetic arts is undeniably powerful. Particularly compelling is a poem entitled “The Fiery Furnace,” which Eikner discussed with La Semana.
“Well, the poetry is a voice of what I believe are the men and women who lived during and after the riot, the massacre,” the poet explained. “I thought of the fiery furnace, not only as part of the massacre, but also, as part of our religious upbringing and go to the book of Daniel where there is a fiery furnace, and where fire has always been used from the beginning of time, either for purifying or for burials and in various ways of people's various native societies. So in The Fiery Furnace, what I’m thinking of how this community is completely on fire. That was the first thing I thought about, and I thought about how people are suffering, but yet at the same time they’re comfortable and they’re satisfied because they know that there is another hand that’s saving them.”
There are numerous events being held to remember this dark stain on Tulsa’s history, but those who make time to see The Unvarnished Truth will not be disappointed. The exhibit is a local and honest response to a terrible and shocking event that for too long was suppressed by city leaders.
Gallery hours are Thursdays 5-8 pm and Saturdays 1-5 pm, through June 1st.
Masks are required and social distancing is in place. Liggett Studio is located at 314 South Kenosha in Tulsa. Visit www.liggettstudio.com for more information or to reserve tickets. (La Semana)