• ELIXHER
• On July 25, 2013

Robert Pruitt is a multi-discplinary artist whose work is known for shedding light on the complexity of Black identity by combining contrasting signs and imagery of disparate Black influences and aesthetics. His most recent endeavor, Women, is now on display at the Studio Museum in Harlem.

Utilizing a fusion of afro-futurism and cosmic surrealism, Pruitt’s engaging portraits exist within and without the restraints of time, the women who star in the 20-piece exhibit live in the past, present and future simultaneously. The use of charcoal as a medium brings a degree of raw strength to the subjects, that make them feel so present to all who gaze their way. As a whole, the series collectively embodies the realms of 80′s hip hop, Starfleet Academy universality, Black Panthers’ rage, and African tribalism. You can almost hear the Public Enemy/Jill Scott acoustic mashup playing in your head as you view each portrait in turn.

Each of the portraits is reflective of the inherent strength that is the Black woman and her femininity, as examined through the social and cultural constructs that define identity including but not limited to style of dress, natural hair, and personal beliefs. Robert’s work tiptoes along the tightrope of understanding so eloquently that onlookers no longer question how a Black woman can embody so many different identities; instead they bask in the sheer admiration that a Black woman has the ability to do so.

Over the years, the Studio Museum has shown a steadfast commitment to presenting Pruitt’s work. He has appeared in a number of permanent collection exhibitions, including Silhouette: Collection in Context (2007) and Collected. Vignettes (2011). When asked about Pruitt’s work with the museum, assistant curator Naima J. Keith told ELIXHER, “Robert Pruitt: Women represents our desire to not only continue our support of his career, but exhibit a critical aspect of his practice: his depiction of strong and confident women that defy and challenge institutional portrayals of the Black female subject.”

Women will be on display until October 27, 2013 (the exhibit opened on July 18). Below we have included some of Pruitt’s portraits for your viewing delight.

- Tie’sha Sadie

Tie’sha Sadie is a Brooklyn-bred femme-sin-sation with a pension for radical expression and queer youth empowerment. She is a multi-disciplinary creative simultaneously questing to redefine the parameters of conscious sexuality, facilitate the evolution of brown community, and drop kick all -ism based ignorance. Tie’sha is a contributing editor at ELIXHER. Oh, she can also be found ranting and raving a little over at Sugarfree:ology.