Theaster Gates — Black Image Corporation
A powerful exploration of cultural preservation, urban transformation, and the role of art in community building by one of America's most influential contemporary artists and social practitioners.
4.10.2019 — 27.10.2019
Experience the transformative vision of Theaster Gates as he reimagines the relationship between art, community, and cultural preservation through his groundbreaking Black Image Corporation project.
"Black Image Corporation" represents Theaster Gates' ambitious project to create new economies around Black cultural production and preservation. This exhibition showcases how art can serve as a catalyst for community development, cultural memory, and social transformation.
Gates, known for his work in transforming abandoned buildings on Chicago's South Side, brings his unique approach to social practice art—one that combines sculpture, installation, performance, and urban planning. His work challenges traditional notions of what art can be and who it can serve, creating new models for cultural engagement and community building.
The Black Image Corporation functions as both an artistic concept and a practical framework for preserving and circulating Black cultural materials. Through this project, Gates demonstrates how artists can create sustainable systems for cultural preservation while generating new opportunities for community engagement and economic development.
About Theaster Gates
Theaster Gates is an artist, urban planner, and social activist whose practice merges art, architecture, and community development. His work focuses on cultural preservation, particularly of Black cultural materials and spaces.
Based in Chicago, Gates has transformed numerous abandoned buildings into cultural centers, demonstrating how art can drive neighborhood revitalization while preserving community history. His projects include the Rebuild Foundation and the Black Arts Department.
Gates has exhibited internationally and is a Professor at the University of Chicago. His work has been instrumental in redefining the role of the artist in society, showing how creative practice can address urgent social and economic issues.