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Artistry Magazine

'Monuments to Us' at the MFA

In a diverse collection of artwork, the Museum of Fine Arts presents a new gallery, “Monuments to Us,” featuring work from multiple artists from various backgrounds. Although a small exhibit, every piece recognizes and celebrates communities which have been consistently marginalized throughout history. Members of the LGBTQA+, African American, Latino and disabled communities are all represented in this exhibit.

Steve Lacy Takes Fans on a Dreamy “Ryd” at House of Blues

Alternative R&B artist Steve Lacy mesmerized fans at House of Blues on Oct. 3, with groovy basslines and dreamy, harmonized chords. The young creator, who is a member of the Grammy-nominated band The Internet, and who has produced alongside Kendrick Lamar, Mac Miller, and Vampire Weekend, among others, is currently on tour for his debut solo album Apollo XXI. The album is a mix of R&B, hip-hop, and low-fi pop, showcasing Lacy’s laid back voice, which blends in perfectly with the record’s rhythmic basslines and mellow synth sounds.

Crowd is Infatuated by H.E.R. in "Every Kind of Way" at House of Blues

The heavy rain and the undeniably biting, cold wind didn’t stop eager concertgoers from waiting in what seemed like a never-ending line outside House of Blues on Nov. 26. Their excitement was for R&B sensation Gabriella Wilson, better known by her stage name, H.E.R., who would be performing that night as part of the “I Used To Know Her” tour. The 21-year-old singer’s identity was only recently revealed to the public, as she undoubtedly believes that the music she creates should be what her fans are focusing on, rather than her physical appearance.

MFA Movies at Night: Moonlight

On Friday, February 10, the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) collaborated with the Roxbury International Film Festival and Wicked Queer: The Boston LGBT Film Festival to present a screening of “Moonlight,” directed by Barry Jenkins. The film garnered significant attention after winning the award for Best Motion Picture—Drama at the 2017 Golden Globes. It was nominated for several Academy Awards, and won Best Picture.

Nina Chanel Abney Installation at The Institute of Contemporary Art

African-American contemporary artist and painter Nina Chanel Abney addresses pop culture and racial conflicts in her vibrant mural at The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA).
All of Abney’s artwork draws from modern content, such as celebrity news and social media, to spark both curiosity and conversation from the public, and the ICA mural is no exception.
While her art can be considered pop surrealism, Abney’s work certainly communicates a story and overarching message that is entirely authentic and unique.

Kamasi Washington at Big Night Live

Jazz is for everyone, and never has that been more clear than on Feb. 24 when Kamasi Washington played to a packed audience at Big Night Live. A diverse mix of musicians led a chorus of instruments through a musical journey of epic proportions. There was an unmistakable human element to the night, with Washington connecting to the audience through anecdotes, wisdom, and, of course, jazz. Solos, symphonies, and soft vocals flowed through the diverse crowd, whose members couldn’t help but tap their feets and sway to the beat of the music all night long.

'Black Panther' Review

The explosive response that Marvel’s “Black Panther” has received in just a few weeks made it difficult to go into the film’s screening without heightened expectations. The film has been lauded for being both an exemplary superhero story and one of the most empowering African-American films in recent memory. Having experienced it on the big screen, I can say that you don’t need to worry — “Black Panther” lives up to the hype.

Personal to Political

There is no one correct way to address the conversation about African American history and how it continues to shape modern society. The “Personal to Political” exhibit currently on display at Northeastern’s Gallery 360 proves this fact through the variety of stories and styles presented by the artwork . The exhibit displays the personal and political battles that African Americans have been fighting for decades, each piece contributing to the collective history in its own unique way. The work displayed is from 14 African American artists who completed a residency at Paulson Fontaine Press in California with a master printmaker. For many of the artists, it was their first time working with printmaking.

The Black Clown World Premiere at A.R.T

“You laugh / Because I’m poor and black and funny…” speaks a lone man into a standing microphone, lit by a single spotlight, center stage. “The Black Clown.” He begins again, singing the lines of Langston Hughes’ poem of the same name. And thus, a truly unique and emotional theatrical experience begins. “The Black Clown” never feels like a traditional musical. It’s an artistic retelling of a collective narrative set to music.