Beyond Bling:
Voices of Hip-Hop in Art

May 21 through August 14, 2011

In October 2009, media outlets throughout the world marked the thirtieth anniversary of the rap single largely credited with spreading hip-hop culture across America and, eventually, the world. The Sugarhill Gang’s Rapper’s Delight was the first hip-hop expression to make the leap from the neighborhoods of the South Bronx, New York to the nation. Over thirty years later, hip-hop has become a dominant part of popular culture. Hip-hop is now ubiquitous and it is little surprise that its influence can be seen in contemporary art.

Beyond Bling: Voices of Hip-Hop in Art is the first exhibition to take a focused look at the work of ten artists who all operate within and are informed by hip-hop culture.  All of the work displayed has been produced within the first decade of the new millennium providing a snapshot of what is happening in art at this moment. The artists here cannot and should not simply be pigeonholed as “hip-hop artists” because there is no single way to define that term. They are a diverse mix of African American, Latino/a, Japanese American, British, Caucasian, gay, male and female. Hip-hop’s appeal, today, comes from this diversity and inclusiveness. Like all of us, these artists live in a world infused with hip-hop flavors.

This exhibition and accompanying film in the galleries has adult themes, language and content throughout. We suggest that you preview this exhibition before bringing your group of young people.