Seattle Art Museum show explores Black experience through photos

The Seattle Art Museum presents Dawoud Bey & Carrie Mae Weems: In Dialogue from Nov. 17 to Jan. 22, 2023. The show features over 140 works by two of the most significant photo-based artists working today, according to a press release.

Both born in 1953, Bey and Weems explore ideas grounded in the experiences of Black people refracted through issues of gender, class and systems of power. In Dialogue presents a series of thematic explorations of their distinct yet overlapping concerns and approaches. This is the first time their celebrated work — the subject of numerous solo and group exhibitions — has been shown together to explore their spirited engagement with each other over the years.

SAM is the third stop on the exhibition’s United States tour, which was organized by the Grand Rapids Art Museum and curated by Ron Platt. SAM’s iteration is curated by Catharina Manchanda, Jon and Mary Shirley curator of Modern and Contemporary Art.

“The work of these two artists has never been more relevant, combining a tender embrace and celebration of Black people with a clear-eyed awareness of the power imbalances to which they have been subjected since the days of slavery,” Manchanda said in a press release. “We are excited to invite everyone into their career-long conversations about art, culture and history.”

In conjunction with the exhibition, the museum will present other programs and engagement opportunities. A free community opening take place Dec. 1 during First Thursday when the museum is free, all day. And social media initiative #SAMPhotoClub invites people to share photographs based on themes inspired by the exhibition for the opportunity to be highlighted on SAM digital channels.

SAM is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday (1300 First Ave. S., Seattle). For the most up-to-date information on SAM events or ticket prices, visit seattleartmuseum.org.