Tyler Mitchell's first solo exhibition in France reflects on a decade of practice by an artist who has introduced new visual narratives of Black life, centring beauty, intimacy and empowerment as everyday realities. Tracing nearly a decade of creation, it shows how Mitchell, one of the most striking voices of his generation, explores themes of utopia, memory and intimacy through representations of Black life.
As we approach the beginning of the new school year, first-year student orientations take place on college campuses to help students prepare academically, integrate into the institution's values and traditions, and build community. During orientation for first-year psychology doctoral students at my institution, I was immediately struck by the small number of Black students. Out of 34 first-year students, there appeared to be only one Black student, representing 2 percent of the cohort. The optics to me were quite alarming.
Kinnard never expected the Brown Bomber to appear anywhere other than his sketchbook until the editor of his college newspaper asked him to contribute comics weekly.