“Luminosity” Opening at the Wright Museum
Take a closer look at a few of our favorite works that will be on view during this historic exhibition celebrating the Anniversary of the Charles H. Wright Museum
Curated by Vera Ingrid Grant, Luminosity: A Detroit Arts Gathering, is a dynamic exhibition celebrating 60 years of The Wright with over 60 artworks from present-day Detroit artists.
Opening: April 5th
RASHAUN RUCKER | The Ghost of New Bethel
Rashaun Rucker’s Ghost of New Bethel, a 2021 relief print from his Up From the Red Clay series, reflects on the Black church’s profound impact on his life. Referencing the Holy Ghost and the New Bethel Church—once home to Martin Luther King Jr.—Rucker uses a church fan, a familiar symbol in the Black church, to blend the sacred with the everyday, honoring the past while exploring connections between faith, identity, and community.
RICHARD LEWIS | Boxing Crouch
Through intricate line work and careful shading, Richard Lewis conveys the tension between two fighters locked in a physical and psychological battle. The figure in the crouch, has his head lowered and body coiled in resilience and anticipation, while his opponent looms above. Lewis’ Boxing Crouch, captures a moment of raw intensity and quiet strategy within the ring reflecting not only boxing but life.
AUSTEN BRANTLEY | Held
In Held, Sculptor, Austen Brantley examines the role of the creator and draws a powerful connection to the myth of Pygmalion and Galatea, where the artist’s touch breathes life into raw material. In this work, a lone figure emerges from the immense hand, symbolizing the act of creation at the hands of the creator. Brantley creates a tension between stillness and motion, evoking the moment where potential is realized—where art transcends medium and the inanimate begins to embody life.
SYDNEY JAMES | Westside Johnson’s
The Westside Johnsons is a contemporary reimagining of a 1978 photograph featuring 12 adult siblings—the Artist’s mother and her 11 brothers and sisters. Consistent with her practice, James uses rich color, bold composition, and meticulous attention to detail to celebrate the strength and warmth of her subjects while preserving Black cultural narratives . The intricate tassels on the border reinforce the idea that these everyday moments deserve to be cherished and remembered.