Art Basel Exhibit Asks the Important Question: “Who Owns Black Art?”

As global scenesters descended upon Miami Beach to enjoy the high culture of Art Basel 2019, black artist will convene in Little Haiti to generate compelling imagery that will unapologetically express their definition of the Black Diaspora. ZEAL in partnership with Miami Urban Contemporary Experience (MUCE) presents “Who Owns Black Art?”, a large scale pop-up art exhibition that will mark the 400th year commemoration of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. The multifaceted installment will feature fifteen influential up and coming multidisciplinary artists who will celebrate the depth, joy, abundance, and triumph of the Black Diaspora. The event will take place December 4-8, 2019 at MUCE 246 NW 54th St, Miami, FL 33127.

“Imagine a space during Art Basel Miami where Black artists get to imagine, create and thrive collectively and participate in a cooperative economy in the production of their cultural works, that is Who Owns Black Art?, said ZEAL’s founder and Principal Manager Allen Kwabena Frimpong. “Our event is about creating excitement for black artists and celebrating their beautiful works of arts that represent all that is the Black Diaspora.”

“Who Owns Black Art?” is three days of creative programming that will include art, music, food, panel discussions, and interactive place-making. The participating artists come from all over the world. Los Angeles based artist and exhibition curator Eilen Itzel Mena is excited to be apart.

“Who Owns Black Art: Questions of Cultural Ownership, makes room for the artists and spectator to interrogate this bold question, while simultaneously asking who owns the Black body, mind and spirit?” said Mena. “This is a space where incredibly talented and diverse Black artists get to own their own narrative and underscore important themes of our time.”

“Who Owns Black Art” is curated by ZEAL in Partnership with: Art in Black – Organized by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, Miami Urban Contemporary Experience, PRIZM Art Fair, Tribe Kreyòl, Superposition Gallery, Intelligent Mischief, Art at the Intersections, Sugarcane Magazine, and Konscious Kontractors.

Take a look at the Artists who will be featured this year