Posing Beauty in African American Culture

October 5, 2024–January 12, 2025 | Fifth Third Gallery and Taft Historic House

Posing Beauty in African American Culture traces the relationship between African American beauty and visual culture from the 1890s to the present through documentary, commercial, and fine art photography. Documentary photographs and portraits of famous and middle-class people alike present the public face of African American beauty, while commercial photographs demonstrate how fashion and advertising have constructed beauty standards. Finally, contemporary photographers—some of whom use themselves as a subject—encourage consideration of how images of beauty impact mass culture and individuals.

Posing Beauty includes more than 100 works by photographers including Charles “Teenie” Harris, Leonard Freed, Anthony Barboza, Carrie Mae Weems, Hank Willis Thomas, Sheila Pree Bright, Renee Cox, Mickalene Thomas, and others. Organized by Curatorial Assistance Traveling Exhibitions and curated by Deborah Willis, PhD, one of the nation’s leading historians of African American photography and culture, the exhibition will challenge existing notions of beauty while encouraging consideration of race, class, and gender within art and popular culture.

STAY TUNED FOR TICKETS

Experience the Exhibition

Enjoy special tours, behind-the-scenes insights, and more during this unique exhibition!

Omar Victor Diop (born 1980), Jean-Baptiste Belley, detail, 2014, inkjet pigment print on Hahnemuhle paper, edition of 8 + 2 AP. ©Omar Victor Diop, Courtesy of Galerie MAGNIN-A, Paris

SAVE THE DATE | Members’ Preview Day | Posing Beauty

Friday, October 4

10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Join us for an exclusive members’ preview day! Created for members and their guests.

Free for Taft members and guests of members with guest pass.

STAY TUNED FOR TICKETS

Jamel Shabazz (born 1960), Drama and Flava from Back in the Days, detail, 2000, color-coupler print. Courtesy of the artist

SAVE THE DATE | Members’ Opening Reception | Posing Beauty & Resilience

Thursday, October 10*

5–8 p.m.

Join us for an exclusive members’ opening and be one of the first to explore the Taft’s newest special exhibitions, Posing Beauty in African American Culture and Resilience: New Ceramic Works by Terri Kern. The program will include remarks from President & CEO Rebekah Beaulieu, as well as music and self-guided tours. Light bites and drinks. Free valet parking.

NEW: Reduced Pricing!