The Black Artists Retreat in Arles

During the summer of 2024, I had the honor of participating in the Black Artists Retreat (BAR) in Arles, an almost annual convening initiated by Theaster Gates. Originally conceived in Chicago over a decade ago, BAR emerged as a radical response to the lack of spaces for Black artists to convene outside of white institutional frameworks. This retreat emphasizes creating, protecting, and nurturing Black spaces through care, critical inquiry, and community building.

In partnership with LUMA Arles, BAR took place in France for the first time from July 15th to 17th, as part of Gates’s long-term project launched with his solo exhibition, Min | Mon, in 2023. Over the course of three days, this retreat provided a space for rest, joy, mentorship, and open dialogue. It featured private and public engagements, including workshops and talks set against the backdrop of LUMA’s breathtaking exhibition space.

The event brought together around 20 Black artists and professionals from the global art world, including luminaries like Hamza Walker, Martine Syms, Ekow Eshun, Josefa Ntjam, Ishola Akpo, and Onyeka Igwe. The environment was both reflective and celebratory, fostering deep discussions about artistic practice and industry challenges while nurturing a sense of community and shared purpose.

For me, the highlight of BAR was its closing panel, where I shared my poem Expressing Myself for the first time in my career. This moment not only marked a significant milestone in my journey as an artist but also reinforced the power of collective storytelling and cultural reclamation.