Perceptual Drift: Black Art and an Ethics of Looking

Perceptual Drift provides a fresh perspective on the study of Black art and the realities of Black lives by examining four key works of Black art in the Cleveland Museum of Arts collection through a materialist approach. It aims to rewrite art history, introduce readers to complex objects and theories, reveal meanings and untold histories, and create new avenues for exploring Black art.

Format: Hardback
Length: 80 pages
Publication date: 22 November 2022
Publisher: Yale University Press

Perceptual Drift presents a groundbreaking interpretive framework that delves into the study of Black art and the multifaceted realities of Black lives. Through a meticulous examination of four pivotal works of Black art housed in the Cleveland Museum of Arts collection, this book offers a fresh perspective that challenges the boundaries of traditional art history. In its chapters, esteemed Black scholars from diverse disciplines employ materialist approaches to confront the systemic injustices embedded within the field. The opening essay by Key Jo Lee introduces the concept of "perceptual drift," a transformative lens through which to explore the essence of Blackness, both as a concept and as a material presence in art and scholarship. Christina Sharpe delves into Jack Whitten's Rho I (1977), Lee examines Lorna Simpson's Cure/Heal (1992), Robin Coste Lewis analyzes Ellen Gallagher's Bouffant Pride (2003), and Erica Moiah James considers Simone Leigh's Las Meninas (2019). This comprehensive approach aims to rewrite the narrative of art history, introduce readers to intricate objects and complex theoretical frameworks, shed light on hidden meanings and untold histories, and simultaneously celebrate and create new avenues for engagement with Black art. This book is an essential resource for scholars, artists, and enthusiasts alike, as it contributes to a deeper understanding of the rich and complex tapestry of Black artistic expression and its profound impact on society.

Weight: 756g
Dimension: 221 x 305 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300263923