What an absolute delight to see an exhibit in San Diego with pieces that are not only breathtaking but also so meaningful in this moment.
If you have not already heard about the latest exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art in San Diego, I highly recommend taking a moment to research, carve out time, and get over to La Jolla. You have until August 9, 2026 to check it off your list of things to do in San Diego.
The museum's description:
This landmark exhibition will include more than 130 works of art, including the debut of a new large-scale piece by Mickalene Thomas from the personal collection of musical and cultural icons Swizz Beatz (Kasseem Dean) and Alicia Keys.
Organized by the Brooklyn Museum in 2024, Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys will feature 37 Black American and diasporic artists from Africa, Europe, the United States, and the Caribbean whose monumental works tower in both scale, conceptual depth and technical skill. The Deans have fostered meaningful relationships with the wide array of artists included in the exhibition and the mission of Giants is a testament to their philosophy: “By the artists, for the artists, with the people.” The exhibition’s run at MCASD is the inaugural display of the collection on the West Coast.
This is the first time I felt really excited about works of art coming through San Diego for so many reasons. Just to name a few, culturally rich, unapologetically BIPOC, colors that remind me of my South Florida upbringing.
Unapologetically BIPOC.
Giants does not hold back on themes of racial injustices and inequality. In my opinion, one of the most powerful pieces is titled "Strike" (2018) - a polished stainless steel sculpture. It depicts a powerful, "silvery" arm reaching out to grab another hand that is wielding a police baton, effectively stopping the strike. Strike holds such a powerful message of resisting the oppressor in a time when civil rights in 2026 seem to be slipping away back to the ages of Jim Crow.
Strike (2018) - Hank Willis Thomas - Giants Exhibit - San Diego
Reminds Me of South Florida.
Growing up in South Florida the norm in any given neighborhood were bright colors, flamboyant ideas, and an attitude of, if you don't like it, oh well. Funny how both sides of the political isle think that way nowadays. I digress. It wasn't uncommon to see tropical colors splashed everywhere in a tropical state. I assumed everyone understood these colors, but after moving through other states the older I got, I soon released muted tones were celebrated, as to not stand out.
An installation that completely stopped me in my tracks was that of Ebony G. Patterson. Her "garden," as they have been coined, arranges a mixture of children printed and cut out to form a lifesize collage with mixed media on carpet that sticks to the theme of immersive color. And while the colors reminded me of my childhood, the message of the piece was more haunting. Each element of the installation intentionally chosen to represent memories of violence against the black community, and disaspora.
Ebony G. Patterson - Giants Exhibit - San Diego
Culturally rich.
I can say that I have been to my fair share of art galleries since moving to San Diego in 2006. While there have been a few exhibitions that moved me to post about them, "Giants" is by far one of the best I have seen come through this little beach town that could. This curation put a smile on my face, and made me proud to say I am living here. We often get things wrong in San Diego, but this show is so right and full of incredible artists including:
Nina Chanel Abney, Derrick Adams, Radcliffe Bailey, Ernie Barnes, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Jarvis Boyland, Kwame Brathwaite, Jordan Casteel, Nick Cave, Hassan Hajjaj, Barkley L. Hendricks, Arthur Jafa, Titus Kaphar, Jerome Lagarrigue, Deana Lawson, Esther Mahlangu, Meleko Mokgosi, Odili Donald Odita, Toyin Ojih Odutola, Zohra Opoku, Frida Orupabo, Gordon Parks, Ebony G. Patterson, Deborah Roberts, Tschabalala Self, Jamel Shabazz, Amy Sherald, Malick Sidibé, Lorna Simpson, Sanlé Sory, Vaughn Spann, Henry Taylor, Hank Willis Thomas, Mickalene Thomas, Kehinde Wiley, Qualeasha Wood, Kennedy Yanko and Lynette Yiadom-Boakye.
Just to name a few. Again, if you haven't already made plans to go tour this exhibit, I highly recommend you put it on your list now.
