It’s been nearly a year since I experienced the colorful work of Jeffrey Gibson at the 2024 Art Biennale in Venice, Italy. Walking into the color saturated gallery, set my senses ablaze. At every turn I was enthralled with the exquisite use of color, in a way that I’d never experienced before. It was a bold collision of rainbow colored hues, mixed with optical illusion art. The Native American themes where grand, bold and glorious. Gibson gave new life and new perspective to the indigenous world, as if being seen by renowned op artist Yacov Agam.
Gibson’s theme for the US Pavilion combines American, Indigenous, and Queer histories with influences from music and pop culture. Once I understood that, the use of the Rainbow color palette made even more sense. His purpose was to invite deep reflection on identity, inspire empathy, and advocate for a widening of access to democracy and freedom for all. As I look at this through the lens of 2025, at the beginning of the second trump presidency, his joy and enthusiasm seem so far away. The new administration seems intent on clamping down on any kind of diversity, killing any and all joy, with chaos being the go to theme.
This colorful interpretation of the US Pavilion in bright red, is remarkably bold. Having vision for what can be, will be very important during the next four years. It’s inevitable that challenges will come to our community, especially now as our dear leader has declared that there are only two sexes: male and female. The trans and LGBTQ community cannot, and will not be stamped out. The pendulum always swings…
In the courtyard of the Pavilion, Indigenous performers from all across the United States gathered, introduced themselves, and proceeded to do traditional dances. There was so much pride as each person shared their story. And then, they began to dance. The sky turned from bright blue to darkest gray, as rain clouds rolled in. Was this a rain dance? It was heartfelt and powerful. The wind kicked up and the trees began to sway. I felt as if I were part of a sacred ceremony.
The beauty and joy of that day has stayed with me over the months. I need to remember the brightness of diversity, and the possibility of new horizons as we sit in the winter of a new administration.
Thank you Jeffrey Gibson for the hope of color, the hope of diversity and the hope of a brighter tomorrow.
