Jamal Cyrus: The End of My Beginning

Jamal Cyrus' first full-length monograph explores his practice of cobbling modern artifacts to trace the evolution of Black identity across the African Diaspora, Middle Passage, jazz age, and civil rights movements. The catalog includes diverse textile-based pieces, assemblages, performances, installations, paintings, and works on paper, demonstrating his commemoration, translation, and reactivation of sociopolitical struggles in African American history.

Format: Hardback
Length: 136 pages
Publication date: 04 June 2022
Publisher: Inventory Press LLC

Jamal Cyrus, a Houston-based visual artist, has released a groundbreaking monograph that delves into his unique practice of cobbling modern artifacts that trace the evolution of Black identity across the African Diaspora, the Middle Passage, the jazz age, and the civil rights movements from the 1960s to the present. This comprehensive publication serves as a companion to Cyrus' first career survey exhibition at the Blaffer Art Museum, showcasing a diverse range of textile-based pieces, assemblages, performances, installations, paintings, and works on paper created over the past two decades.

The catalog includes Cyrus' ongoing Pride Records installation series, which pays tribute to the history and struggles of African Americans. Through his multidisciplinary artworks, Cyrus commemorates, translates, and reactivates sociopolitical struggles in African American history, forging a revised chronicle of histories, hybridity, and redemption.

Cyrus' approach to art is characterized by his ability to blend different cultural elements and historical narratives, creating a rich tapestry of meaning and symbolism. His artworks often incorporate elements of African art, spirituality, and contemporary politics, reflecting the complex and multifaceted nature of Black identity.

One of the standout features of the monograph is the inclusion of diverse and conceptually charged textile-based pieces. Cyrus' use of textiles allows him to explore the intersection of identity, culture, and history, creating intricate tapestries that evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing. His assemblages and installations also showcase his skill in creating immersive environments that engage the viewer on multiple levels.

Through his artworks, Cyrus challenges the traditional narratives of African American history and seeks to reclaim and redefine Black identity. He explores the complexities of race, gender, and sexuality, challenging the dominant narratives and promoting a more inclusive and diverse understanding of history.

The monograph also includes essays by renowned scholars and art historians, providing deeper insights into Cyrus' practice and the broader context of his work. These essays explore the historical and cultural significance of the artifacts that Cyrus incorporates into his artworks, as well as the social and political implications of his artistic approach.

Overall, Jamal Cyrus: Transnational Cultural Hybrids of the Afro-Atlantic is a groundbreaking publication that showcases the exceptional talent and vision of Jamal Cyrus. Through his multidisciplinary artworks, Cyrus challenges the boundaries of art and history, creating a revised chronicle of histories, hybridity, and redemption. This monograph is a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary art, African American history, and the complexities of identity.

Weight: 907g
Dimension: 267 x 213 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781941753446