Exhibition Statement

Houston Museum of African American Culture is pleased to present Houston-based artist first exhibition at the Bert Long Jr. Gallery. Deals multidisciplinary approach through film photography, frame building, and curation responds to the psychological and physical peak experienced through community and family, and the complexities that build a multidimensional environment. He interrogates historical and existing ideologies by combining street photography and portraiture to capture the parallels of the past, the present, and how together they move us into the future. Deal will debut a series of photographs moved by a generation of change and power, a group who has set determination on changing the realities of black and brown people, and the inequalities faced through simply interacting with the world. Colby uses the voice and the strength of red to capture the rage, passion, and boldness embedded in the “good trouble” this generation is ready to face. Red Gen, by Colby Deal and curated by Moriah Alise will be on view from August 29 - November 19th.

Colby Deal’s Artist Statement

Under sourced communities and people of color are under explicit cultural erasure, through photography and a family of mediums I preserve these cultural characteristics that are being erased. The process of preservation serves as a vehicle from present to past through a creation of experiences. The texture of an elegant dress helps mother reflect on her childhood and now she’s prompted of pearls to pass onto her daughter, a father informs his son about land ownership after

viewing a photograph of an abandoned house, a piece of furniture reminds a grandchild of how

grandmother took care of the entire family in her tiny home; place a piece of this art in the proper

area of a community, self-appreciation and positive influence increases, and possibly the revenue of a small business next door because of curious traffic from social media postings. Each of those experiences endorse the future as a result of the past. In the age of imagery and information leading the forefront of altering humanity, the psychological effect of perpetuating practical narratives of a culture fuels my curiosity to search for and present the most accurate one. A communal repertoire and visual bond are executed through lens-based work, while the root concept of preservation is carried out with each individual presentation of the lens-based work. The qualities of imagery and presentation are crucial when conducting interactive studies in a community to observe the psychosis of society based on imagery and placement.

About the Museum of African American Culture

The mission of HMAAC is to collect, conserve, explore, interpret, and exhibit the material and intellectual culture of Africans and African Americans in Houston, the state of Texas, the southwest and the African Diaspora for current and future generations. In fulfilling its mission, HMAAC seeks to invite and engage visitors of every race and background and to inspire children of all ages through discovery-driven learning. HMAAC is to be a museum for all people. While our focus is the African American experience, our story informs and includes not only people of color, but people of all colors. As a result, the stories and exhibitions that HMAAC will bring to Texas are about the indisputable fact that while our experience is a unique one, it has been impacted by and has impacted numerous races, genders and ethnicities. The museum continues to be a space where a multicultural conversation on race geared toward a common future takes place.