McDonough Museum announces artist talk

McDonough exhibiting artist, Amanda D. King, will present an artist talk Wednesday, Feb. 22 5:10 p.m. in the McDonough gallery where her work is on display. The artist will be joined by her father, Reverend Dr. William C. King, Jr. of Youngstown, during her talk.

“Amanda D. King’s artist talk will be a wonderful addition to the Black History Month celebration at YSU and should not be missed,” said Claudia Berlinski, director of the McDonough Museum. “The artist will certainly provide insights into her moving and intelligent exhibition and art practice.”

A conceptual artist, cultural strategist and social justice advocate, King uses arts and culture to envision possibilities for transforming individuals, communities and society. King's multidisciplinary expertise in jurisprudence, art history, fashion and culture inform her socially engaged practice, which utilizes visual communication & design, creative consulting and arts education to mobilize her community and reciprocate grace.

King earned a JD at Case Western Reserve University School of Law and a BA in art history at Bryn Mawr College. King was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and lives in Cleveland, Ohio, where she manages her studio practice and serves as creative director of Shooting Without Bullets.

In her exhibition, "Root Matter," King adapts visual language as spiritual mythmaking, weaving personal identity into theology and history. This synthesizing of sacred and secular matter is a practice King developed while growing up in the AME Zion Church. "Root Matter" synthesizes concepts of divinity and humanity and interprets principles of Christian mythology in relation to the Black experience. King uses aesthetics and symbolism, revised text appropriated from biblical scriptures and poignant imagery which position Black bodies in orientations of transformation. Through this imagery, "Root Matter" lays bare matters of faith/progress, authority/autonomy and resurrection/social uprising, while moving through stages of lamentation, crucifixion, transfiguration, and baptism.

The McDonough Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. More information is available by calling the McDonough Museum at 330-941-1400.