Honoring Legacy: Explore ‘Carrying On’ – Black Panther Party Artists Showcase Their Impact Through March 15

GLASSBORO, NJ. – A new exhibition called ‘Carrying On: Black Panther Party Artists Continue the Legacy’ is now showcasing artwork from both past and present artists connected to the Black Panther Party. This unique collection is on display at Rowan University’s 301 High Street Gallery in Glassboro. It marks the first time these artists’ works have been displayed together on the East Coast.

Colette Gaiter, the curator of the exhibition, shares, “These are four artists who worked for the original Black Panther newspaper.” Among them is Emory Douglas, known for using art to highlight social justice issues. One of his notable pieces features a paperboy with the strong message, “All power to the people.”

Douglas began working with the newspaper in 1967 and continued until its last issue in 1980. “We focused on telling our story from our perspective,” he explains, emphasizing the importance of discussing quality-of-life issues within the Black community.

The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense, founded in 1966 by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale, aimed to address and combat police brutality in Black neighborhoods. Gaiter notes that the themes from that era have resurfaced, especially during the recent Black Lives Matter Movement.

Another featured artist is Gayle Asali Dickson, who presents several works that respond to contemporary issues. One piece was created in reaction to the tragic murder of George Floyd. Gaiter mentions that Dickson previously worked for the Black Panther newspaper during its shift from focusing on self-defense to emphasizing survival. She has a notable series portraying important Black women in history, including Ida B. Wells.

Malik Edwards is also part of the exhibition. In the 1970s, he created detailed pointillism art. Gaiter describes one of his pieces, ‘Videophilia,’ where he captures people holding what looks like “a little TV on a stick.” Today, he’s exploring digital prints and working with artificial intelligence in his art.

Professor Akinsanya Kambon, another artist showcased, reflects on his experiences from the Vietnam War in his work. Gaiter points out that liberation is a central theme of the exhibition. “Art is a powerful tool for enlightenment and action,” Douglas believes, underlining its potential to inspire change.

‘Carrying On: Black Panther Party Artists Continue the Legacy’ is free to the public and will be available until March 15 at the Rowan University Art Gallery & Museum.

For more details, visit the exhibition page or check out the Rowan University Art Gallery.

Rowan University Art Gallery & Museum
301 High Street W.
Glassboro, NJ 08028