American+

American⁺ is a response to the term African-American and my solution for the problems associated  with being Black. The “minus” in African-American implies that my American designation is somehow less. American⁺ speaks to the resilience black people have exhibited for centuries navigating through enslavement, indentured servitude, systemic racism, and environmental pitfalls. The “+” represents the amount of additional energy, work, and resilience it takes to land on equal footing with those from other racial backgrounds. It represents the ability to both overcome and succeed in the face of adversity. This series of work aims to tell troubling but true stories through a range of visual media, providing insight and education related to my Black (male) experience in Contemporary America

-       Michael Coppage (MFA 2005)

Join us for the reception on February 4th, 2022 from 4pm - 7pm.