The Brooklyn Museum’s newest exhibit, “The Dean Collection Giants,” is absolutely exquisite and filled with the most talented, and often unsung, artists of our time. Drawing an international audience, it’s a family affair that’s created with the first exhibition of the private holdings of the musical and cultural icons Swizz Beatz (Kasseem Dean) and his wife Alicia Keys. Both born and raised in New York, the collectors have amassed this expansive art collection. “We wanted to shed light on Black art and the artists,” remarked the couple, who champion the philosophy of artists supporting artists.
On the first floor of the Brooklyn Museum to the left, “Giants” opens with a people-featured wall hanging that stands out behind children’s toys on the floor. To the left, there are photographs of women in afros taken by Kwame Brathwaite during the late ’60s and early ‘70s, depicting the “Black is Beautiful” era. Gazing at the photos, there was a young couple discussing whether or not they could wear their hair in the afro styles shown. Back then, we never thought twice about it. Folks who were protesting about freedom, power, and rights wore their hair natural. It was all so beautiful.
You will recognize the names and works of Gordon Parks, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Lorna Simpson, Kehinde Wiley, and Nina Chanel Abney. These names loom large in the past and present of art, as do many others. The Brooklyn Museum’s presentation also spotlights works by Black diaspora artists as part of their ongoing efforts to expand the art-historical narrative.
However, “Giants” refers to several aspects of the Dean Collection: the renown of legendary artists, the impact of canon-expanding contemporary artists, and the monumental works by such creators as Derrick Adams, Arthur Jafa, and Meleko Mokgosi. Immense pieces—including the largest ever by Mokgosi—are paired with standouts such as Parks’s seminal photographs, Wiley’s revolutionary portraits, and Esther Mahlangu’s globe-bridging canvases.
Enjoy vivid, truthful photographs, along with wondrous watercolor and oil paintings, sculptures, fashions and photos of Black heroes like Mohammed Ali and Jackie Robinson. There were several photos depicting activities that still happen today such as kids playing in the streets and cooling off under the sprinkles from the fire hydrants on a hot summer day.
Wall texts included quotations such as: “We need to be our most giant selves: to think our most giant thoughts, express ourselves in the biggest way possible; and give ourselves permission to be giants.”
The exhibition will encourage “giant conversations” inspired by the works on view—critiquing society and celebrating Blackness. It’s worth the trip for the entire family. Visit www.Brooklynmuseum.org for hours and more information.
