The Holocaust Museum Houston is currently hosting an intriguing exhibition that deftly bridges the historical experiences of African Americans and Jewish communities. "The Kinsey African American Art & History Collection," which opened last Friday, features over 130 pieces of art, artifacts, and historical documents collected by Bernard and Shirley Kinsey. According to Houston Chronicle, the collection aims to highlight the often-overlooked narratives and contributions of African Americans, starting from 1595 to the present day.
"We're trying to get you (some idea) as to what you're going to see inside," Bernard Kinsey explained in an effort to quickly establish the historical and cultural importance of the exhibition. Some key pieces include artworks by local Houston artists and central items like a first-edition narrative by former slave Olaudah Equiano. According to KHOU, their son, Khalil B. Kinsey, the collection's general manager and chief curator, sees this as an opportunity to explore the uncanny connections between the African-American and Jewish experiences.
The exhibition is also deeply personal to the family, with the museum's entrance featuring portraits of Bernard, Shirley, and Khalil. Bernard Kinsey, in a statement obtained by Houston Chronicle, shared insights into the thought process behind their collection, including the quest to conquer the "myth of absence," or the pervasive idea that Black people are not part of the historical narrative.
Khalil Kinsey hopes the exhibition will not only educate but inspire visitors by drawing parallels between different experiences of oppression. "We are in a moment of time where hatred is on the rise and the more we understand that we are together and have a duty to be together in fighting against this, the stronger we are," Khalil told KHOU. The collection, which will be on display through June 23, includes works by artists such as Laura Wheeler Waring, Marcus Garvey, and contemporary artist Jonathan Green, among others.
The Kinsey Collection, which represents one of the largest surveys of African American art outside of the Smithsonian Institution, is presented by Shell USA. Its time at the Holocaust Museum Houston is another poignant example of showcasing how art can educate and influence understanding across diverse communities. The museum has collaborated with the Kinseys to ensure that the exhibition reflects the unique cultural landscape of Houston, including works never before seen by the public.
