Art Exhibit on Campus Explores Safe Spaces and Trauma

Photo by Elisabeth Sinicrope

The newest art exhibition on campus at Meredith College, entitled I Carry Them On My Back, Of Course! was curated by artist Alexandria Clay. The exhibit is in the Frankie G. Weems Gallery and is on display from Jan. 24 through March 11. A conversation with the artist is scheduled for Feb. 3 at 7 p.m., a workshop with the artist is scheduled for Feb. 24 at 2 p.m. and the closing reception for the exhibition is scheduled for March 3 at 5 p.m.

In a press release sent out by Dr. Jean Jackson, gallery director Molly Hull describes the art as “a body of work that eagerly searches for shelter from the trauma of experiencing marginalizing spaces.” Hull also states that “in Clay’s experience, Black matriarchs constantly craft and preserve places of refuge in her community—a practice that is due in part to domestic expectation.” These ideas are displayed in Clay’s work.

The Weems Gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 2 to 5 p.m. on weekends. The exhibit’s poster advertises “braille labels, reading guides for persons with low vision and audio descriptions.” Attendance at events for the gallery can also be counted as an academic and cultural event at Meredith.

By Freya Dahlgren, Opinion Editor