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Suggestion Box: Art VI. Mrs. Waldorf Astor, Wiley

from Suggestion Box: Art by Michael R. Oldham

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I chose "Mrs. Waldorf Astor" by Kehinde Wiley because his work is phenomenal.

I remember catching a showing of some of his work at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth while visiting family a few years back. I was awestruck. The juxtaposition of proud, gorgeous, strong black men and women against brilliantly patterned backgrounds inside an art museum where many of the subjects are white makes an important impact. It made me look inward as a white male, understanding that all of these years going to art museums I had never really seen black men or women portrayed in this way, and this is why diversity in the arts matters. My limited view was opened, and I knew that I had to make sure I sought out more works that celebrated other cultures and stories. It is so important for all people to see themselves represented in stories and the creative arts. Everyone has a story. We need the space(s) to tell these stories.

As a gay man, I remember distinctly when I saw other gay men depicted in stories, music, artwork, dance, on television and on the big screen. It made me feel like I wasn't alone, and it made me feel like there was another person out there living their truth and that I could too. This is why sharing diverse stories is so important.

Today, as we still fight for equal rights and protections for our BIPOC humans, I know I needed to have something in my creative work that would make a small impact. The anti-racist movement that has grown amidst unjust violence in our country is an important fight. We can continue to fight it by talking to each other, listening, understanding, and lifting up those that aren't the same as us. I also hope that by having this work in my catalogue, it shows that I stand with others that look different than me, that have a different story than mine, and that these differences are a beautiful thing.

Watch the live video with the artwork here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXheAE7BJpA&t=2s

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from Suggestion Box: Art, released October 2, 2020

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Michael R. Oldham Chicago, Illinois

Composer | Pianist

Michael R. Oldham (b. 1989 Braidwood, IL) is a composer and pianist who weaves artwork, story, and imagination into his work.

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