credit: Francis Montoya / 📸 @slingshotmenace
It was a remarkable occasion this past weekend in Newark, NJ as The Culture Parlor introduced its original mobile art installation titled “Don’t Touch My Hair” at Harriet Tubman Square, part of the annual Newark Arts Festival.
Helmed by dynamic filmmaker Ayana Morris, this ground-setting exhibition thrusts into the limelight the rich dialogues around Black hair, deploying art as its medium. The opening, graced by Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka and Congresswoman LaMonica McIver on October 11, featured an empowering opening speech from Morris. Her captivating words set the stage for this exploration of Black identity through the artistic lens.
credit: Francis Montoya / 📸 @slingshotmenace
Step into the installation and you find yourself enveloped in a powerful display of seven moving images depicting the themes of bondage, resistance, embrace, and survival among others. Every image narrates a unique story of Black women’s struggles and triumphs concerning their hair. The setup includes a contemporary salon scene, with innovative products from Mielle furnished for an interactive viewer experience. One poignant visual portrays a woman with straight, blow-dried hair, illustrating societal pressures to conform, while another highlights hair braided into maps as a historical tool for freedom.
credit: Francis Montoya / 📸 @slingshotmenace
The course of the weekend wasn’t just an exhibition but a gathering of minds. The dialogue continued into the Hair Gala, prosperous panel discussions around Black women in media, a vibrant session about “Black In Beauty” and social media strategies for empowerment were only few of the attractions. The festive mood was rounded up by the Grit & Glam Brunch, where figures like Mikki Taylor and Misa Hylton were applauded for their impact on the narratives around Black beauty and fashion.
For a chance to witness, reflect, and participate, “Don’t Touch My Hair” will continue gracing Harriet Tubman Square until November 15, 2024. It’s a heartfelt invitation to dive deep into its significant and transformative narrative.
