City of Rochester
News Release
Artist Reception & Celebration: Friday, Sept. 23
(Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022) – “Afrofuturism,” an
exhibit curated by The 9th Floor Artist Collective Creative Director
and CFO Rashad Parker, is on display at the City Hall Link Gallery through
Sept. 30.
The exhibit focuses on the central theme of Afrofuturism, a
cultural aesthetic, and philosophy of science and history that explores the
intersection of the African diaspora culture with science and technology. It
addresses themes and concerns of the African diaspora through techno culture
and speculative fiction, encompassing a range of media and artists with a shared
interest in envisioning Black futures that stem from Afro-diasporic
experiences. The term was coined in 1993 by Mark Dery, an American cultural
critic and explored in the late 1990s through conversations led by Alondra
Nelson.
“Many of Rochester’s local artists of color have not had the
opportunity to professionally exhibit their art, which is just one reason why
spaces like the Link Gallery are important,” said Parker. “I am grateful to
Mayor Evans for supporting the growth of the arts in Rochester and for keeping
the Link Gallery a public space for local artists and art lovers alike.”
Exhibit frames include:
- Luvon Sheppard, Preaching, Watercolor on
canvas
- Najay Quick, Momma Earth, Acrylic on
canvas
- Ya’Qub Shabazz: Ndoto Za Baba Zetu (Dreams of our
fathers); Bang! “The price we pay for being ourselves is
worth it.” Eartha Kitt, Oil on canvas; Brother’s
Keeper, Oil on canvas
- Najay Quick, Jesus Piece, Acrylic on
canvas
- Leslie Everett: Untitled, Acrylic
on canvas; Revelation 2121; We Hold These Truths;
Black to The Future
- Tehya Bollar, Bantu
- Lailee Josephine, Fresh Set, Mixed media
- Onyedikachi Prince Robinson: Unconditional Love,
Oil and Acrylic on canvas; Man in Distress, Oil and Acrylic
on canvas; Black Love, Oil and Acrylic on canvas
- Steven Williams, The Amazing Ironheart,
Oil on canvas
- Rachel Rochelle, Moonlight Oshun, Mixed
media on canvas
- Cocoa Rae David, Pigment Series, (4
framed images)
- Ephraim Daniels, Untitled, Acrylic on
canvas
- Rashaad Parker, Ancestral Rite, Metal
sculpture from discarded materials
An Artist Reception will take place at 5:30 p.m., Friday,
Sept. 23 at City Hall, 30 Church St.
The 9th Floor Artists Collective provides
educational and inspirational resources for the Rochester community so that
they can use their talents, hone their creative skills, and collaborate to
enhance the cultural landscape of Rochester, NY. They are an organization that
expands the culture of artistic expression by combining art, wellness, and
social responsibility to use as a channel for community engagement, internal
peace, and the rejuvenation of creativity.
The City of Rochester values the visual arts as an
educational and aesthetic experience. More importantly, the City sees local art
as part of the culture of this region. With this in mind, the Link Gallery,
established 1981, promotes the art and art culture of the area. The Gallery,
located at 30 Church Street on the first floor of City Hall in the corridor
connecting Building A to Building B, is open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday. The Link Gallery is free, handicapped accessible, and open to the
public.
For more information, visit www.cityofrochester.gov/linkgallery.
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