People Not Things Opening Reception
Curated by artist and philosopher, Genesis Be, People Not Things (PNT) is a traveling art exhibit that connects communities with diverse artistic voices to recognize, examine and disrupt systems of division. The exhibit has shown twice in Los Angeles, twice in New York and we are excited for its Atlanta debut.
Featured artists:
Jona Moon Dlamini Revell
Niancé
Yolanda Grace
Additional artists to be announced.
Exhibition on view July 28 – August 28
Jona Moon Dlamini Revell Artist Statement:
“I find myself primarily painting women and femmes precisely because of the way the female image has been reduced, commercialized, and sexualized in contemporary American society. I attempt to paint the unseen— the in between— the wibbly wobbly bits of space we cannot name. I paint transitional and multidimensional spaces, and give form to things that are not traditionally depicted. How the images of Black American Women are used, and how we exist in the collective consciousness of America is inherently incongruent. I find comfort in rooting out the truth that exists in the space between these contradictions and revealing the unspoken. I want to capture the essence of the person in a way that honors both the past and the present— the ephemeral nature of the living body and the sempiternal nature of the work.”
About Niancé:
“One defining characteristic of Niancé is the presence of her Fujifilm Instax Mini camera. Purchased over a decade ago while living in Okinawa Japan; since then it’s been faithfully attached to her hip. The main focus of Niancé’s photography is to capture the essence of the auras, personas, and the divine qualities of the spirits she encounters. Often bestowing the mini photos as gifts for people to keep as a reminder to remain present, alive, and in the flow of life. This dress captures over a decade of these moments and the people she has created a community with along the way.”
About the Curator
Genesis Be is a painter, musician and community leader from Mississippi. She will complete an artist-in-residence at Callanwolde this summer. Her residency will conclude with the curation of People Not Things group exhibition, opening August 7th, 2025.
About Genesis Be
Genesis Be, a dynamic artist and advocate, harnesses the power of art to heal divided communities and challenge oppressive archetypes. Her paintings, poetry and music serve as her platform for self examination and a direct confrontation with the “industry of division.” She has completed four solo exhibitions between New York and Los Angeles, showing at Tag Gallery, Aleph Studios, The Bishop Gallery and Brooklyn Art Haus.
Raised in south Mississippi, Be has had to navigate the prison of identity in a state whose history is rife with racial violence, homophobia and suppressive systems. Be’s work focuses on bridge building, racial healing, civil discourse and healing divided communities. Be is directly influenced by her grandfather, civil rights activist Reverend Clyde Briggs.
Her artistry transcends galleries and stages, serving as a catalyst for civil dialogue and action rooted in human connection and compassion. As an outspoken creative and advocate for human rights and collective liberation, she lobbied to have the Confederate flag removed from the design of the Mississippi state flag. Her work continues to inspire and ignite difficult conversations that resonate far beyond the stage and gallery. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, VICE, Billboard and more.
She is the subject of the documentary “Mississippi Turning” (unreleased) and continues the fight to improve race relations and racial justice. She is the founder of Strive Till I Rise and People Not Things.