Dozens of people crowded the Fisher Museum to check out a series of paintings, architecture models, and other displays contributed by art and non-art majors alike.
The goal of the artists at “The Black Palette” was to celebrate Black creativity and allow USC students who are not full-time artists to display their pieces. It was hosted by the Center for Black Cultural and Student Affairs and organized by Omarion Vivrette, who is studying architecture and photography.
“The whole point of this event is even if you feel nervous, let it be your first. Because one of the things I believe in is never be the first person to tell yourself ‘no.’ You have the whole world to discourage you and I don’t think that you should be the one doing that to yourself,” said Vivrette.
He hoped the event would allow artists to get their foot in the door and build their confidence so that when an opportunity outside of USC arises they are ready.
Vivrette showcased two of his own pieces: ‘Head Held High’ and ‘Office Woman’. He said both are tributes to Black women.
“Society throws a lot of stuff towards Black women and they handle it very well. They’re very loving, caring, and composed in the way that they show themselves to the world, and that’s something that I respect. Especially as someone who was raised by a Black woman and like two older sisters,” Vivrette said.
Vivrette set out to communicate confidence and resilience, but that wasn’t the only theme at the gallery. For Lawrence Herbert, this was the first time his work was on display.
“I brought my final model from my last semester’s project. It is a city that we designed and is called ‘Skybirdia’ and the whole concept is taking this freeway-congested, heavily-polluted area, this one-by-one-by-one-mile chunk of L.A., and converting it into a walkable city where people live around this high-tech, integrated train network,” said Herbert.
He is the exact type of artist that Vivrette wanted to submit selections. A model city isn’t a typical definition of art, but gallery attendees seemed to love it.
“I think I’m helping redefine the term of art. Some people think art is just paintings and drawings. Architecture, in my experience, is a form of art. And I would argue, for me, that it is the most important art,” said Herbert. “Everything we live in, everything we use, every structure is architecture, and without architecture, there’s just geography.”
Another artist, Alexandria Gee, used this opportunity to showcase drawings, paintings, and graphic designs - all work she’s passionate about.
“I brought just really fun pieces that I like. They’re doodles to me, but I don’t think they’re doodles to other people,” said Gee, whose art portrays Black innocence within women. “I think my pieces are really important because we don’t get to see Black women and Black girls be innocent and be hyper-feminine if they want to be. ”
The main themes of her art are legacy and advocacy.
“I also want to advocate for Black girls and women who are not getting proper justice or being showcased properly.”
Artists of “The Black Palette” brought all sorts of different themes and meanings to the Fisher Museum today. Ultimately, that was what Vivrette wanted: a place where anyone could bring anything to be appreciated by museumgoers.