Un|Fixed Homeland, Aljira Center for Contemporary Art, 2016 Catalog: Un|Fixed Homeland | Page 8

Director ’ s Statement

Dexter Wimberly , Executive Director
Un | Fixed Homeland is the first exhibition to open at Aljira during my tenure as Executive Director . In many ways , it both sets the tone and raises the bar for the kind of projects I envision taking place in our galleries . Given its elegance , it ’ s easy to assume that this exhibition came together without significant challenges . However , what you see in the pages of this catalog is the result of Herculean effort and vision on the part of the exhibition ’ s curator , Grace Aneiza Ali , as well as the generous support of The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts .
Un | Fixed Homeland brings together the work of 13 multi-generational artists of Guyanese heritage in a presentation that is at once thoughtful , inspiring , and dare I say , educational . The theme of the exhibition struck a personal chord with me . Being born and raised in Brooklyn , New York , I grew up surrounded by people whose families immigrated to the United States from all corners of the world . My closest friends in high school and college were not only from the United States , but also from Asia , Europe , Africa , South America , and the Caribbean . I took for granted that such a diverse experience was typical . In my adult life I came to understand the blessing and beauty of being exposed to such diversity , none of which would have been possible without people having the ability to move around the globe to pursue their dreams for a better life .
When people ask me where I ’ m from , I can see the surprise on their face when I say , ” I ’ m from Brooklyn .” Their usual response is , “ I don ’ t meet too many people who were born and raised here .” My typical reply is “ Neither do I !” The world is not a fixed place . It is constantly changing . History is still being made . Borders are being contested and becoming more politically charged every year . Home is a place that is simultaneously escaped from and sought-after . When I think about home and its many definitions , I am reminded of the words of the genius entertainer Rakim who summed it up perfectly : “ It ain ’ t where you ’ re from , it ’ s where you ’ re at .”
Frank Bowling Mother ’ s House with Beware of the Dog , 1966 Bowling ’ s Variety Store , Main Street , New Amsterdam , British Guiana , 1966 Bowling ’ s Variety Store , Main Street , New Amsterdam , British Guiana , 1953 ( Photo : Argenis Apolinario )