The Whitney has always been a favorite museum of mine to visit in New York. Not just for its free admission for students and people under the age of 18, but for its vibrancy and captivating exhibitions.
One of its current Exhibitions that I found most intriguing is Working Together: The Photographers of the Kamoinge Workshop.
In 1963, the Kamoinge Workshop was formed between a group of Black photographers with the aim of supporting one another through mentorship, collaborative exhibitions, portfolios and publications. Their name derives from Kikuyu language of Kenya, meaning “a group of people acting together.”
The Whitney presents the work of fourteen of the earliest founding members of the group which include: Anthony Barboza, Adger Cowans, Daniel Dawson, Louis Draper, Al Fennar, Ray Francis, Herman Howard, James M Mannas Jr, Herb Randall, Herb Robinson, Beuford Smith, Ming Smith, Shawn Walker and Calvin Wilson. There are over 140 black and white photographs by the members. To me, their work highlights the vastness and diversity of Black life that contradicts anti-Blackness sentiments. While Black Artists can be forgotten by white institutions such as the Whitney, it is nice to see Working Together receiving the long overdue recognition that the group deserves.
