Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz recently debuted their art collection featuring a variety of artwork by pioneering Black artists.
Titled “Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys,” the exhibit had its opening today at the Brooklyn Museum days after a press review was held.
Named after the artists who are part of the collection, “Giants” celebrates the impact of both legendary and contemporary artists.
Ninety-eight artworks will be put on display. Amongst those whose works are included are Jean-Michel Basquiat, Nina Chanel Abney, Arthur Jafa, Meleko Mokgosi and Kehinde Wiley.
Expected to run until July 7th, Gordon Parks’ “Untitled,” Deborah Roberts’ “The Visionary,” and Toyin Ojih Odutola’s “Paris Apartment” have already been announced as being part of “Giants.”
“Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys have been among the most vocal advocates for Black creatives to support Black artists through their collecting, advocacy, and partnerships,” said the Shelby White and Leon Levy Director at the Brooklyn Museum, Anne Pasternak, per a release. “In the process, they have created one of the most important collections of contemporary art.”
The start of the exhibit comes admist the announcement by the museum that they’ll be celebrating their 200th anniversary this year.
Earlier this month, the museum said that they’ll begin their celebrations on Friday, Oct. 4.
To mark the first day of the festivities, the museum will open the “Brooklyn Artists Exhibit” which will explore the work of local Brooklyn artists.
The American Art Galleries will also make a reappearance with more than 400 pieces celebrating American Art set to go up on display.
After a “Birthday Bash” planned for the following day, the Brooklyn Museum will continue their celebrations with exhibits revolving around building the museum and its past collections, gold and recent additions to the collection.
An interactive “Museum on Wheels” pilot will also launch in April as part of an initiative to provide cultural programming.
“Always a trailblazer, the Museum has a long history of transformation and defying convention,” said Pasternak per a release. “We are a space that welcomes diverse points of view, challenges the status quo, and weaves together all forms of art and culture to truly represent the people we serve.”
Established initially as the Brooklyn Apprentices’ Library in 1823, the Brooklyn Museum was officially recognized and incorporated in 1824.
Throughout the years, the institution has focused on diversifying exhibits, giving platforms to Black American art, Haitian art and women’s art.
