Hank Willis Thomas: Strange Fruit

In this exhibition, 30 Americans artist Hank Willis Thomas investigates the disturbing history of lynching photography from the turn of the 20th century. With images of lynched men and women shown together with contemporary representations of athletes, Thomas invites viewers to consider, remember, and question the transformation of black bodies into souvenirs and commercial objects. Through new photographs, videos, and multimedia work, he examines two forms of spectacle – the historic culture of lynchings and the commodification that surrounds professional sports “I am fascinated with how history and culture are framed,” Thomas has said of his work.  “Who is doing the framing, and how these factors affect our interpretation of reality.”

Hank Willis Thomas: Strange Fruit is made possible by a grant from Lodestar Fund.