October 2, 2006
Sesnon Gallery presents work of Hank Willis
Thomas
The work of Hank Willis Thomas will be exhibited at the Sesnon
Gallery October 2 through November 18. The show, titled "Signifying
Blackness," includes photos from his B®ANDED and Unbranded
series as well as from his recent body of work, "Winter in America."
"Signifying Blackness," an exhibit of the work of Hank Willis Thomas
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Thomas has gained wide recognition with his series B®ANDED,
a group of images in which he digitally adds a scarred Nike
logo on the head and chest of black models. Thomas's work, using
the branding metaphor with its uneasy historic associations
with African American history, speaks about the extent to which
commercial branding is geared to racial groups. His work raises
questions about identity and commodification, acknowledging
the violence confronting the African American community, through
a visual language of the physical body, advertising logos, and
marketing.
Thomas will give a lecture about his work on Monday, October
2, at 8 p.m. in the Porter Dining Hall. A reception for the
artist will take place at the gallery on Thursday, October 5,
from 5 to 6 p.m., followed by a conversation with Thomas and
New York critic Isolde Brielmaier from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Baskin
Arts Seminar Room D-101. The events are free and open to the
public..
Gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday noon to 5 p.m.
The gallery is located at Porter College and is wheelchair accessible.
Admission is free and parking is free on Saturdays. Group tours
are available by appointment. Parking permits are available
weekdays at the main campus entrance kiosk for $5.50/day and
$2 at the Porter College lot between 5 and 8:30 p.m. for special
events.
For further information, call (831) 459-3606 or
go to the gallery web site at http://arts.ucsc.edu/sesnon/