FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Orange County Center for Contemporary Art Presents: "2%: A Celebration of Black Artistry"

Santa Ana, CA - March 15, 2024 - The Orange County Center for Contemporary Art is pleased to announce the opening of its latest exhibition, "2%: A Celebration of Black Artistry”, curated by Photographer, Britt Samuels Jr., Independent curator and art consultant, Maya Futrell for Maya Contemporary, and Independent curator, Annabella Pritchard. This groundbreaking exhibition delves into the profound exploration of creative sovereignty and expressive transcendence within the Black artistic community. The exhibition will commence with an opening event on Saturday, May 4, 2024, from 6pm to 10pm, with a live poetry reading from ground-breaking poet and educator, Marcus Omari, followed by a performance from living legend, Dr. Vicki Calhoun. The exhibition will run until May 24, 2024.

“2%: A Celebration of Black Artistry” showcases the work of approximately fifteen exceptional visual artists working across various mediums, including painting, photography, collage, sculpture, video and performance. Each selected artwork serves as a testament to the resilience and innovation inherent in Black artistry. Despite historically seminal contributions, Black artists continue to be underrepresented within the hegemonic confines of mainstream galleries and institutional collections, though recent studies and reports suggest that there has been some progress in increasing their representation.

This exhibition challenges the prevailing narrative and expands the visibility of Black artists, acknowledging their significant contributions to the contemporary art scene. The seemingly modest numeral, “2%,” symbolizes a disheartening disparity but belies the vast expanse of artistic production emanating from Black creators. It underscores a systemic oversight within the art historical canon and contemporary exhibition practices. “2%: A Celebration of Black Artistry” seeks to rectify this oversight by showcasing the heterogeneous voices, experiences, and artistic outputs that compose the intricate mosaic of this collective cultural expression.

At its core, “2%: A Celebration of Black Artistry” serves as a call to introspection and action. It invites observers to confront the deficits in their understanding and appreciation of Black creators. This exhibition acts as a catalyst for discourse and a beacon for change, prompting a critical examination of the dynamics that have led to such underrepresentation, while fostering a concerted effort towards rectifying institutional injustice.

“2%: A Celebration of Black Artistry” presents a revelatory journey into the indelible imprint of Black artists upon the canvas of art history, emphasizing their rightful claim to prominence within the cultural vanguard. More than just an exhibition, it is an act of reclamation, affirming the value and transformative power wielded by the Black artistic community. Their contributions are essential not only to the enrichment of the art world but also to the very fabric of our shared human experience.



Participating Artists:
Britt Samuels Jr., Dorris Draffen, Eesuu Orundide, Eric Jones, Jouvon Kingsby, Kobina Wright, Kaleeka Bond, Larissa Brown, Maya Futrell, Peyton Burnett, Sharon Rene, Sola Saar

For more information, please visit our website at https://www.occca.org/ or contact Robin Repp at info.occca@gmail.com

About the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art:

Founded in 1980, the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art (OCCCA) is a 501c (3) non-profit corporation dedicated to the pursuit of professional excellence and freedom of expression in the arts.
The Orange County Center for Contemporary Art (OCCCA) is a leading institution dedicated to the promotion and exhibition of contemporary art in Orange County, CA. Through its diverse and thought-provoking exhibitions, the center aims to foster dialogue, inspire creativity, and engage the local community with contemporary art practices.

Media Contact: media@occca.org
Orange County Center for Contemporary Art
117 North Sycamore Street, Santa Ana, Ca. 92701

Larissa Brown-DrumMajor

Doris Draffen-Ijoma Medicine Woman

Sola Saar-High Priestess