Gallery Opening Reception! 🚨 Come join us at @uniquephoto Philadelphia this Friday Sept. 2nd from 5-7pm for Ron Tarver's Opening Reception of "SHINE." Curated By: @susannawgold In this current body of work, @rontarver explores his own racial identity and experiences as a Black artist by addressing the problematic nature of Black memorabilia as a decorative art. Most created during the Jim Crow era, these objects present demeaning representations of African Americans through exaggerated facial features such as lips, noses, and hair. The word "shine" also emerged during Jim Crow as a racist slur towards Black people, commenting on African Americans who made a living shining the shoes of white people. Tarver used a large format film camera and printed in black and white on a highly reflective archival paper further emphasizing the shine, or glossy surface of these objects. While Black memorabilia is widely collected and still being produced, some with very high market values, they represent a legacy of racism and belittlement of a people simply due to skin color. To RSVP for FREE and for more details please visit the link in our bio! We hope to see you there!!! #uniquephoto #rontarver #galleryreception #artshowsinphilly #philadelphiagalleries #art #artist #freeartshowsinphilly #localartistphilly #blackhistory #phillyartists #phillyartist #artistsinphilly