Nordic Utopia? Symposium: Ethelene Whitmire, Leslie Anne Anderson, Denise Murrell, Tamara J. Walker

See a discussion with co-curators Ethelene Whitmire and Leslie Anne Anderson and scholars Denise Murrell and Tamara J. Walker as they expand on the various themes, artistic output, and shared histories on view in the exhibition "Nordic Utopia? African Americans in the 20th Century," presented at Scandinavia House from November 26, 2024 through March 8, 2025.

"Nordic Utopia?" looks at the significance of Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden as destinations for African American cultural figures including Ronald Burns, Doug Crutchfield, Herb Gentry, Dexter Gordon, William Henry Johnson, Howard Smith, and Walter Williams through a range of artifacts, artworks (music, paintings, drawings, sculpture, ceramics, textiles), and documentary evidence (photography, film, and journalistic writing).

In this conversation held at Scandinavia House on February 22, the curators and scholars discuss notable works, stylistic influences, and the undertold stories of various African American artists who sought new possibilities, inspiration, and environments in the Nordic countries in the 20th century.

"Nordic Utopia? African Americans in the 20th Century" has been organized by the National Nordic Museum, Seattle, where it debuted in March 2024. Inspired by her original research, this exhibition was curated by Ethelene Whitmire, Professor of African American Studies, University of Wisconsin, Madison; and Leslie Anne Anderson, Chief Curator, National Nordic Museum, Seattle.

Learn more:
https://www.scandinaviahouse.org/exhi...

Presentation at Scandinavia House has been made possible in part by the following: The Heimbold Foundation, The Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation, The Tova Borgnine Estate, The Birgitta Dill Estate, Arthur Zeckendorf, Dr. Daphne L. Davidson, and Daniel and Ellen Strickler.

Support has also been provided by the following ASF Funds: The Bonnier Family Fund for Contemporary Art, The F. Donald Kenney Fund for Visual Arts, and The Kronquist Mesaros Memorial Endowment Fund.

The national tour of the exhibition has been made possible through generous support from The Terra Foundation for American Art, Laurie C. Black, Nordic Kulturfond Globus Grant, Microsoft, City of Seattle, Hugh and Jane Ferguson Foundation, and ArtsFund Guendolen Carkeek Plestcheef Fund for Decorative and Design Arts.

Additional support has been provided by the Consulate General of Denmark, Consulate General of Finland, Royal Norwegian Consulate General, and Consulate General of Sweden.

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