How do you learn to look at non-Western art without prejudice within a system historically dominated by white men? In this blog post, I explore my own ingrained mindsets through Taiye Selasi’s concept of the 'Afropolitan' and the active evolution of thought in the work of Achille Mbembe. A profound exploration of the 'intellectual labor' required to achieve a truly open, hybrid gaze.
After my visit to gallery Noir Noir, I felt a deep urge to dig further into the world of Surinamese art. Armed with Charl Landvreugd’s challenging academic book, I am attempting to unpack the theory behind ‘hybrid looking’ on my own terms. Why does the era we live in push our thoughts in a specific direction, and what does this mean for the way we look at art? A personal quest to broaden my horizon.
A critical look at my own discomfort and the unconscious consumption of another's decolonial art history. Why good intentions are not enough, and how the threshold of Galerie Noir Noir changed my perspective for good.
