Sonya Clark's We Are Each Other Exhibition Showcases 30 Years of Collaborative Art

May 30, 2025 | Stafford, Fort Bend County, Texas


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Sonya Clark's We Are Each Other Exhibition Showcases 30 Years of Collaborative Art
In the heart of the art world, a unique exhibition is captivating visitors with its blend of history, community, and creativity. "Sonya Clark's We Are Each Other" showcases the remarkable journey of the artist, whose work spans three decades and traverses various media, particularly focusing on the significance of black hair and American history. This retrospective, co-organized by the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, the Museum of Art and Design in New York, and Cranbrook Art Museum near Detroit, is the first to spotlight Clark's social practice and community-based artwork.

As guests step into the exhibition, they are greeted by the haunting melodies of Regina Carter, who plays "Sounding the Ancestors," a piece that incorporates Clark's own hair threaded into a violin bow. This auditory experience sets the tone for an exploration of embodied histories and ancestral wisdom, emphasizing Clark's belief that hair artists are the original textile artists.

One of the exhibition's highlights is Clark's monumental recreation of the Confederate flag of truce, a historic textile that symbolized the end of the Civil War. This impressive piece, measuring about 33 feet long, invites reflection on the power of a single textile to unite a nation. Visitors can view both the original flag, housed in the Smithsonian, and Clark's monumental version, creating a poignant dialogue between past and present.

An interactive installation called the "Reconstruction Exercise" invites visitors to engage directly with the art. Here, they can weave on a loom to contribute to an 11-yard scroll inspired by the historic textile, learning a complex waffle weave pattern that echoes the intricacies of history itself. Every Saturday, participants can join in this communal activity, likening the process to making music as they pass threads back and forth.

Additionally, Clark offers a unique opportunity for visitors to create a rubbing of the Confederate truce flag, etched into a wooden desk. Using crayons, they can reveal the textures of this significant textile, allowing them to take a piece of the exhibition home.

The exhibition extends beyond its primary location, with a companion display just a few blocks away at the Houston Museum of African American Culture. Here, attendees can explore further works, including a vast tapestry of constellations and Clark's ongoing participatory projects, such as the Hair Craft Project and the Beaded Prayers Project.

"Sonya Clark's We Are Each Other" is not just an exhibition; it is a celebration of collaboration, history, and the enduring power of art to connect communities. As visitors weave their stories into the fabric of this experience, they become part of a larger narrative that honors the past while looking toward the future.

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