The exhibition Sunday Best: The Power & Glory of Black Style, recently opened at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), features the work of our beloved Gordon Shadrach and has been highlighted in a CBC Arts article by Hillary LeBlanc.
In the article, Shadrach discusses his painting Season Opener and reflects on the broader themes explored throughout the exhibition. His work is presented in dialogue with contemporary art, historic garments, and a rich collection of local and North American ephemera, exploring the cultural significance of Black style as an expression of identity, creativity, history, and self-representation.
“I feel as if the subject lives in a kind of liminal space, in terms of histories, and temporalities,” says Crooks. “You can speculate that he is seeking freedom. What is most striking is his voluminous top. [The painting] is about fashion, but it is also about freedom, and his look to the North — maybe. I would think this is a cotton fabric, which signified a movement from enslavement to freedom.”
We are delighted to see Gordon's work included in this important exhibition and to have his practice featured in this meaningful exhibition which has been co-curated by Julie Crooks and Jason Cyrus.
Sunday Best is on view until February 28, 2027.
