Awol Erizku and Deborah Willis
Join us for a casual conversation between two luminary artists, Deborah Willis and Awol Erizku!
Through their art, Willis and Erizku both engage, deconstruct, and re-envision the way people relate to American culture in distinct and powerful ways. While this will be the first time they have shared the stage in conversation, there are many exciting moments of overlap between the artists and the influences that inspire their practices.
Expand your knowledge and join the conversation as we explore the intersection of art, society, and the human experience. See you there!
Free, registration required. Reserve your spot online or by calling the Box Office at (479) 657-2335 today.
About Awol Erizku
Renowned Ethiopian American artist Awol Erizku’s practice spans photography, installation, and painting, bridging the divide between African and African American cultures across beauty standards and towards a singular aesthetic. His most recognizable image is from the 2017 pregnancy photoshoot for Beyoncé, which perfectly embodies his distinct aesthetic, while also admiringly nodding towards Annie Leibovitz’s iconic 1991 Vanity Fair cover photo of a pregnant Demi Moore.
In spring 2023, the Momentary and Aperture co-published Erizku’s first major monograph, Mystic Parallax, which will materialize as his first major exhibition, debuting at the Momentary in June 2024.
About Deborah Willis
Deborah Willis is a celebrated photographer, curator, and author whose work within the realm of cultural history focuses on topics related to Black identity and gender. One enduring thread of her research is an examination of beauty standards, particularly among Black women. Willis foregrounds this topic in her 2009 publication, Posing Beauty, which was a groundbreaking book and accompanying exhibition that examined the topic across time and context and continues to influence artists and researchers today.
In December of last year, she received the 2022 Don Tyson Prize for the Advancement of American Art. Awarded biennially by Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, the Don Tyson Prize recognizes outstanding achievement in American art.
