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Umbra Exhibition

This month marks the anniversary of the Umbra exhibition that was crafted, illustrated, and curated [...]

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The Umbra exhibition centers on the intersectional

The Umbra exhibition centers on the intersectional experiences of Black womxn. Each piece delves into six themes which Terresa Moses has identified as gaze, control, savior, (d)anger, burden, and liberation. More at umbraexhibit.com.

This post features “IDK, TBH,” the second piece in the sixth theme of liberation. It also features the twelfth line of the featured poem that runs throughout the show: “All of it”

Video Transcript from the Artist: I’m doing a lot of work trying to understand freedom and liberation for Black women. What does it mean to truly belong in a space? When would freedom actually exist for Black women. Is liberation even something we can experience if we can’t even imagine it? I don’t know. I don’t know what is fully representative of peace, fulfilment, and self-care.

#UmbraArtShow #UmbraExhibition #BlackWomxnDeserveJoy

The Umbra exhibition centers on the intersectional

The Umbra exhibition centers on the intersectional experiences of Black womxn. Each piece delves into six themes which Terresa Moses has identified as gaze, control, savior, (d)anger, burden, and liberation. More at umbraexhibit.com.

This post features “Freedom, Finally,” the first piece in the sixth theme of liberation. It also features the eleventh line of the featured poem that runs throughout the show: “Free from the bullsh*t”

Video Transcript from the Artist: I think the world would be such a better place if folkd just followed Black women. When I think about freedom, I thought about being my full self, naked and free. And if folks could just follow the beautiful leadership that Black women embody, I know we could get there. If Black women had the resources and support we needed, I know that we could remove the fog in front of a truly liberated future.

#UmbraArtShow #UmbraExhibition #BlackWomxnDeserveJoy

The Umbra exhibition centers on the intersectional

The Umbra exhibition centers on the intersectional experiences of Black womxn. Each piece delves into six themes which Terresa Moses has identified as gaze, control, savior, (d)anger, burden, and liberation. More at umbraexhibit.com.

This post features “Impossible,” the second piece in the fifth theme of burden. It also features the tenth line of the featured poem that runs throughout the show: “To create a future where I exist”

Video Transcript from the Artist: With “Impossible” I wanted to show the hand Black women have been dealt. The impossibility of winning or conquering the oppression we face. In one hand this Black woman is holding up this broken system, using what she can to keep it together while cracks of this broken system run throughout. In the other hand (and foot), she is using a paint brush to create a new world where Black women can live free. This juxtaposition is the contradiction, it is how society expects us to work toward liberation and it is impossible.

#UmbraArtShow #UmbraExhibition #BlackWomxnDeserveJoy

The Umbra exhibition centers on the intersectional

The Umbra exhibition centers on the intersectional experiences of Black womxn. Each piece delves into six themes which Terresa Moses has identified as gaze, control, savior, (d)anger, burden, and liberation. More at umbraexhibit.com.

This post features “To the Marrow,” the first piece in the fifth theme of burden. It also features the eighth line of the featured poem that runs throughout the show: “Fighting to the bone”

Video Transcript from the Artist: Black women are the most hard-working individuals. We not only carry our own historic trauma, but we carry it for our families, for the movement– all while holding down 2-3 jobs, raising children, and being at the front lines of protests. If it weren’t for the Black women in my life telling me to rest, I’d look exactly like this illustration “To the Marrow.” I often feel like this, like I have nothing left to fight with, like even after all my flesh has withered away, all the muscle and fat has disintegrated, I will still find it in me to fight with the bone and marrow I have left.

#UmbraArtShow #UmbraExhibition #BlackWomxnDeserveJoy

The Umbra exhibition centers on the intersectional

The Umbra exhibition centers on the intersectional experiences of Black womxn. Each piece delves into six themes which Terresa Moses has identified as gaze, control, savior, (d)anger, burden, and liberation. More at umbraexhibit.com.

This post features “Don’t Tell Me to Calm Down,” the second piece in the fourth theme of (d)Anger. It also features the seventh line of the featured poem that runs throughout the show: “Wondering why I’m so mad”

Video Transcript from the Artist: I loved creating this piece. It’s like I asked myself “what imagery can I embody that people will know exactly how I feel when looking at it.” The idea that Black women shouldn’t be angry or aren’t entitled to our anger is a lie of white supremacy. It is a way for whiteness to cover up the harm they have perpetuated on whole communities of people and have never answered for those crimes. Instead, whiteness continues to profit off the free labor and work of Black women both historic and present day. And you don’t think I should be angry?

#UmbraArtShow #UmbraExhibition #BlackWomxnDeserveJoy

The Umbra exhibition centers on the intersectional

The Umbra exhibition centers on the intersectional experiences of Black womxn. Each piece delves into six themes which Terresa Moses has identified as gaze, control, savior, (d)anger, burden, and liberation. More at umbraexhibit.com.

This post features “Trigger Warning,” the first piece in the fourth theme of (d)Anger. It also features the sixth line of the featured poem that runs throughout the show: “Pulling the pin to my trauma”

Video Transcript from the Artist: “Trigger Warning” was the first piece I illustrated for Umbra. It was a reaction to being born with trauma, birthing trauma, and the traumatic often fatal experience of birth at the hands of white doctors who don’t believe Black women. Black women carry historic trauma through generations and we’re never allowed a chance to heal. An important part of this piece is that no white person ever wants to admit they are the one pulling the pin on our trauma, but when you do nothing to protect or liberate Black women, you are.

#UmbraArtShow #UmbraExhibition #BlackWomxnDeserveJoy

The Umbra exhibition centers on the intersectional

The Umbra exhibition centers on the intersectional experiences of Black womxn. Each piece delves into six themes which Terresa Moses has identified as gaze, control, savior, (d)anger, burden, and liberation. More at umbraexhibit.com.

This post features “I’m Not Sorry For My Blackness,” the second piece in the third theme of savior. It also features the sixth line of the featured poem that runs throughout the show: “Submerging me in your guilt”

Video Transcript from the Artist: I’ve been in so many spaces where I feel like I have to apologize for my Blackness. Since birth, Black women have been socialized to make ourselves smaller for the comfort of non-Black people and mainly White women. I illustrated this piece as a reminder that white tears are a weight we’re forced to carry and if we do not carry them, we will drown in them. White tears are violent to our very beings, so grab some tissue white women and stop expecting Black women to wipe up your guilt and shame.

#UmbraArtShow #UmbraExhibition #BlackWomxnDeserveJoy

The Umbra exhibition centers on the intersectional

The Umbra exhibition centers on the intersectional experiences of Black womxn. Each piece delves into six themes which Terresa Moses has identified as gaze, control, savior, (d)anger, burden, and liberation. More at umbraexhibit.com.

This post features “Help Me, Help You,” the first piece in the third theme of savior. It also features the fifth line of the featured poem that runs throughout the show: “Using me to save you”

Video Transcript from the Artist: Black women are not your pack mules. I can give countless examples of carrying the weight of male mediocrity. The audacity that men and institutions carry to take the credit of Black women... to expect us to do the work of multiple employees… to expect that JUST BECAUSE WE ARE BLACK AND WOMEN that we will host the diversity talk for all the staff is a kin to slave labor. My piece, “Savior,” is illustrated to show Black women as the life jacket we are treated as.

#UmbraArtShow #UmbraExhibition #BlackWomxnDeserveJoy

The Umbra exhibition centers on the intersectional

The Umbra exhibition centers on the intersectional experiences of Black womxn. Each piece delves into six themes which Terresa Moses has identified as gaze, control, savior, (d)anger, burden, and liberation. More at umbraexhibit.com.

This post features “Sacred Sexism,” the second piece in the second theme of control. It also features the fourth line of the featured poem that runs throughout the show: “Policing my body”

Video Transcript from the Artist: As Black women, our bodies will always be policed by entities that claim holiness and exclusion. The chrisitan church is probably one of the biggest advocates of “toning down” the natural curves of Black women. And not just our bodies, but our abilities and our choices. I created this piece, “Sacred Sexism,” as a way to illustrate mine and many Black women’s experiences within religious institutions.

#UmbraArtShow #UmbraExhibition #BlackWomxnDeserveJoy

The Umbra exhibition centers on the intersectional

The Umbra exhibition centers on the intersectional experiences of Black womxn. Each piece delves into six themes which Terresa Moses has identified as gaze, control, savior, (d)anger, burden, and liberation. More at umbraexhibit.com.

This post features “Lynched By Police,” the first piece in the second theme of control. It also features the third line of the featured poem that runs throughout the show: “Killing me brutally”

Video Transcript from the Artist: Systemic racism allows for the continued lynching of Black people and specifcally Black women by police and the system of policing. There is so much violence against our community but this piece “Lynched by Police” illustrates this false sense of safety that society has which continues to threaten, injure, traumatize, and murder us every day.

#UmbraArtShow #UmbraExhibition #BlackWomxnDeserveJoy

The Umbra exhibition centers on the intersectional

The Umbra exhibition centers on the intersectional experiences of Black womxn. Each piece delves into six themes which Terresa Moses has identified as gaze, control, savior, (d)anger, burden, and liberation. More at umbraexhibit.com.

This post features “Were We Ever Children,” the second piece in the first theme of gaze. It also features the second line of the featured poem that runs throughout the show: “Seeing what you want in me”

Video Transcript from the Artist: “Were We Ever Children?” illustrates the hyper sexuality of Black girls and women. It’s a phenomenon called adultification bias. What makes this bias particularly toxic is how in turn Black girls are treated. Because we are assumed to be more “adult” than our white counterparts– more aggressive, more sexual– we are punished harsher in schools, by police, and by any authority figures. It makes me question altogether if Black women have the chance to be children.

#UmbraArtShow #UmbraExhibition #BlackWomxnDeserveJoy

The Umbra exhibition centers on the intersectional

The Umbra exhibition centers on the intersectional experiences of Black womxn. Each piece delves into six themes which Terresa Moses has identified as gaze, control, savior, (d)anger, burden, and liberation. More at umbraexhibit.com.

This post features “Cookie Cutter Becky,” the first piece in the first theme of gaze. It also features the first line of the featured poem that runs throughout the show: “I know you see me”

Video Transcript from the Artist: “Cookie Cutter Becky” is about how Black women cannot help stand out in a sea of whiteness. Whiteness being Eurocentric beauty standards, “proper” english, or respectfulness. As Black women we are constantly othered and forced to assimilate, to mold ourselves into something impossible instead of celebrating our beauty, our expressiveness, and our style.

#UmbraArtShow #UmbraExhibition #BlackWomxnDeserveJoy

This month marks the anniversary of the Umbra exhi

This month marks the anniversary of the Umbra exhibition that was crafted, illustrated, and curated by our Creative Director, Terresa Moses. This month, we’re using our platform to reintroduce the show to the public.

We know that many of us have been focused on the upcoming elections. It has been an incredibly difficult year for our communities. Many of the problems we face have been exacerbated by folks who hold power and refuse to wield it for our collective benefit. Our elections directly affect the experiences and realities of Black women. So, we’re resharing Umbra to highlight some of those experiences.

For Black womxn, this show is for you. For ‘eerybody else, listen, learn, support, and protect Black women.

More at umbraexhibit.com.

#UmbraArtShow #UmbraExhibition #BlackWomxnDeserveJoy

Show up for Black womxn. This month, we’ll be s

Show up for Black womxn.

This month, we’ll be showcasing the Umbra exhibition which centers on the intersectional experiences of Black womxn. We’re hoping that this show introduces themes and concepts in which folks can learn ways in which they can support Black womxn.

Inspired by her own experiences and the experiences of other Black womxn, Moses (our creative director) was compelled to create work which validates and uncovers the institutional racism and sexism perpetuated in this community everyday.

Each piece delves into six themes which Moses has identified as gaze, control, savior, (d)anger, burden, and liberation. It is her hope that all individuals come to realize their contribution to these experiences– either as a perpetrator of harm or a healer.

More at umbraexhibit.com.

#UmbraArtShow #UmbraExhibition #BlackWomxnDeserveJoy

Black womxn deserve joy. This month, during the a

Black womxn deserve joy.

This month, during the anniversary of the Umbra exhibition, we’ll be using our platform to reintroduce the show to the public. We’re hoping that this show is a means of validation and support for the lived experiences of Black womxn.

This solo exhibition by Terresa Moses centers on the intersectional experiences of Black womxn. Inspired by her own experiences and the experiences of other Black womxn, Moses was compelled to create work which validates and uncovers the institutional racism and sexism perpetuated in our communities everyday.

Each piece delves into six themes which Moses has identified as gaze, control, savior, (d)anger, burden, and liberation. It is her hope that all individuals come to realize their contribution to these experiences– either as a perpetrator of harm or a healer.

More at umbraexhibit.com.

#UmbraArtShow #UmbraExhibition #BlackWomxnDeserveJoy

The Seen zine is a collection of simple practices

The Seen zine is a collection of simple practices we use or have used. Although we created and designed this zine, we don’t own the knowledge that we’re sharing. These things were shown to us and shared with us throughout our years. We are grateful to our teachers and guides who have helped shape who we are. We wish it were possible to name them all but the list would span books and generations in length. If you’re reading this, you’re probably one of those names or you one day will be.

Thank you for creating. Keep designing the future.

Download the full zine at blackbirdrevolt.com/seen. Share what you’ve written, drawn, or created. Send your creations to SeenZine@blackbirdrevolt.com.

This activity is made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.