Curatorial intern Grace Xiao reflects on viewing artwork that embraces instability, disruption, and restlessness, making room for open interpretations in the gallery.

RISD student Abena Gyampo traces the history of the hypersexualization of black bodies from the early 19th century to contemporary popular culture

RISD student Tito Crichton-Stuart analyzes Robert Mapplethorpe’s exoticisation of the black body and proposes potential acquisitions that could serve as counterpoints in the collection

1. Be steadfast.

Artist Jane Ogden (British, ca. 1845–1928) painted flowers and other still-life subjects in oil and watercolor.

Artist and student Jade Cannata creates a chart describing the racial demographics of three all-inclusive resorts in locations with strong historical connections to colonialism, showing the effects of history on the present

A student in a RISD course on pan-African aesthetics contemplates a vinyl record pictured in a Sanlé Sory photograph in the collection, and imagines the songs it contains.

Juxtaposing Iké Udé’s photography with Sun Ra’s notions of "mythocracy" and Black Utopia, Ann-Maree Quaynor seeks to reclaim Black Dignity and Existence.

A student in a RISD course on pan-African aesthetics, inspired by a photograph in the collection, explores Black youth occupying space in movements from La Sape to Noirwave.

Professor Jan Baker encouraged her letterpress class to become inspired by the Circus exhibition at the RISD Museum.

A student in a RISD course on pan-African aesthetics, inspired by a photograph in the collection, envisions future possibilities of Black hairstyling.

RISD Museum’s important Greek inscription dates to the period when Rome dominated the Eastern Mediterranean.

2017 Artist Fellow Walker Mettling delves into the history and context of a previously overlooked textile with colonial origins.

Community MusicWorks commissioned composer and vocalist Ken Ueno to write Four Contemplations for the restoration and rededication of RISD Museum's Dainichi Buddha.

The handmade object has a tendency to prompt memories from the craftsperson who made it. In this reflection on an embroidered purse from the 1970s, Ariel Wills and Kate Irvin are joined by maker Christina Bevilacqua for a dynamic conversation that demonstrates the narrative qualities embodied in material culture.