Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power 1963-1983

Soul of a Nation celebrates the work of Black artists made over two decades beginning in 1963, at the height of the civil rights movement. The exhibition devotes individual galleries either to groups of artists working in a particular city — with three galleries dedicated to artists living and working in Los Angeles — or to a different kind of art production. The exhibition showcases communities engaged in robust artistic dialogues, while also revealing disagreements about what it meant to be a Black artist at this time. Artworks in the exhibition are both figurative and abstract, and range from collage, assemblage andphotography to painting, sculpture and performance. Ultimately, the exhibition emphasizes the dynamic contributions of Black artists to this significant period in American history and art.

Developed by Tate Modern in London (July 12-Oct. 22, 2017), Soul of a Nation debuted in the United States at Crystal Bridges in Bentonville, Arkansas (Feb. 3-April 23, 2018), and will travel to the Brooklyn Museum in New York (Sept. 14, 2018-Feb. 3, 2019) before making its final (and only West Coast) stop at The Broad in Los Angeles. It is accompanied by a full-color catalog surveying this crucial period in American art history, featuring thought-provoking essays that explore abstract and figurative art, and examine the most significant groups, exhibitions, publications, campaigns and institutions of the time.

This exhibition is organized by Tate Modern, London in collaboration with The Broad, Los Angeles, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas and Brooklyn Museum, New York. Curated by Mark Godfrey, Senior Curator, International Art and Zoe Whitley, Research Curator, Tate Modern. The Broad presentation is curated by Sarah Loyer, Associate Curator and Exhibitions Manager.

The Broad