In the heart of London, a remarkable photographic journey unveils itself at the Saatchi Gallery. As We Rise: Photography from the Black Atlantic, an exhibition showcasing the renowned Wedge Collection, invites viewers to immerse themselves in the captivating world of Black portrait photography. With over 400 works from across the globe, this unparalleled private collection, amassed by Canadian dentist Kenneth Montague, promises to leave an indelible mark on all who witness its magic.
The Genesis of an Extraordinary Collection
The story of the Wedge Collection begins with a single, awe-inspiring image – James Van Der Zee’s 1932 photograph of a young Harlem couple posing proudly with their gleaming Cadillac V-16 Roadster. This aspirational portrait, captured during an era of racial segregation and strife, embodied the essence of the Harlem Renaissance and the indomitable spirit of Black artists. For a young Kenneth Montague, this photograph ignited a passion that would lead to the creation of one of the world’s most significant collections of Black photography.
A Family Album of the Black Atlantic
As We Rise presents the Wedge Collection as an extended family photo album, transcending geographical boundaries and time itself. The exhibition draws upon a shared sense of experiences, emotions, and solidarity among Black people, creating a narrative that is at once intimate and universal. Visitors are invited to explore the personal kingdoms and mausoleums to lives lived, captured in the photographs that adorn these walls.
Every image in As We Rise contains some kind of magic, a superpower of self-projection that radiates from the subjects.
– According to a close source
Maestros of Studio and Street Photography
The exhibition pays homage to the African modern masters of studio and street portraiture. Malick Sidibé’s Nuit de Noel (Happy Club), a large silver gelatin print from 1963, invites viewers to revel in the unstoppable energy of an elegant dancing couple, while also acknowledging the overlooked young woman sitting in the background. Oumar Ly’s rural studio portraits showcase the ingenuity and improvisation of the photographer, juxtaposing the refined composure of his subjects with the urgency of the moment.
Unexpected Contributions from Legendary Artists
As We Rise also features atypical and unexpected contributions from legendary photographers. A rare, intimate self-portrait by Carrie Mae Weems, taken when the artist was just 21, serves as a precursor to her groundbreaking later works. This image anchors the importance of intimacy in the exhibition, highlighting the personal realms and mantelpiece mausoleums that celebrate lives lived.
Voices from Across the Black Atlantic
While surveys of the Black Atlantic often focus on voices from the United States and the United Kingdom, As We Rise embraces important photographic legacies from Canada, the Caribbean, and Brazil. Afonso Pimenta’s images offer a glimpse into life in one of Brazil’s largest favelas during the 1980s, while works by other artists from across the diaspora contribute to a rich and diverse tapestry of Black experiences.
Whether staged or real, and where or when it was taken, slowly becomes irrelevant in these pictures. The desire is the same: to see, or conjure into being, an ordinariness that is radical.
– According to a close source
A Celebration of Black Joy and Resilience
As We Rise is more than just an exhibition; it is a celebration of Black joy, resilience, and the power of self-representation. Through the lenses of these talented photographers, we bear witness to the triumphs and challenges of Black lives across the Atlantic, united by a shared sense of pride, creativity, and determination.
As you navigate the galleries of the Saatchi Gallery, allow yourself to be transported by the magic that emanates from each photograph. Let the stories of these individuals and communities resonate within you, and marvel at the extraordinary legacy of Black portrait photography that the Wedge Collection so beautifully encapsulates.
As We Rise: Photography from the Black Atlantic will be on display at the Saatchi Gallery in London until January 20th. This groundbreaking exhibition is not to be missed, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to immerse oneself in the captivating world of Black portrait photography and the indomitable spirit of the Black Atlantic.
