My Question To You
by Babs Rappleye (aka Tucker Neel)Artillery Magazine, Jul./Aug. 2020.
Dear Reader, Babs thinks now is the time we ask some important questions:
Who are your friends, collaborators and colleagues in the art world? How many are white? How many are Black? How long has this been the case?
Who controls the museums, galleries, fairs, auction houses and nonprofits you visit and/or financially support? How many of these institutions’ directors, owners, curators and board members are white? How many are Black? How long has this been the case?
Who is featured in the solo, group and thematic exhibitions you attend? How many are white? How many are Black? How long has this been the case?
Who participated in your art education? How many of your classmates, teachers, mentors and advisers have been white? How many have been Black? How long has this been the case?
Who wrote the texts about art you have read or are reading? How many were by white authors and/or are about white art and artists? How many were by Black authors and/or about Black art and artists? How long has this been the case?
Who made the art on your walls and in your own art collection? How many of these works are by white artists? How many are by Black artists? How long has this been the case?
Who owns, edits, contributes to and advertises in the art publications you read? How many of these people and institutions are white? How many are Black? How long has this been the case?
Who is featured, interviewed, reviewed and has their art reproduced in the art publications you read? How many are white? How many are Black? How long has this been the case?
Who owns the businesses where you buy or source the supplies, tools and services you need to make, sell or promote your art? How many are white-owned? How many are Black-owned? How long has this been the case?
Who benefits when you make, buy, sell, promote or critique art? How many of these people are white? How many are Black? How long has this been the case?
What changes are each of us willing to make after we have honestly answered these questions?
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