Gallery Talk Plus—The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century

Saturday, July 13, 2024 from 1–3 p.m.

Reservations required.

Members: $10

General public: $20

Students: $5

Join us for a unique experience in The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century with guest performances and an interactive discussion facilitated by local artist and educator, Ryan Leary. This exhibition showcases more than 100  works of art by some of today’s most important and celebrated artists—such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Roberto Lugo, Carrie Mae Weems, William Cordova, Hassan Hajjaj, Hank Willis Thomas—and fashion brands, with looks from Cross Colours and Vivienne Westwood. Explore a selection of the work on display through performances by Tristate-area artists SoL, Khari, and Yaya. 

About the Artists:

Ryan Leary

Ryan Nichole Leary is a Visual Artist/Historian/Educator and Cincinnati native dedicated to educating, sharing, and celebrating the narratives of people who are part of the African Diaspora. Leary works as a visual artist, specializing in portraits, lectures on art history at local institutions, and blends her love for creativity and activism in her work.  She describes her work as “Obnoxiously Large, Unapologetically Black." It is through Leary’s artwork, lectures, and teachings that she hopes to correct false narratives and celebrate the brilliance of the Diaspora. Learn more about her work at ryannicholestudios.com. 

SoL 

SoL is a poet, writer, emcee, and musician from Cincinnati. He lives up to his name, which means "sun" in Spanish, by being a light in the room on the many stages he has graced over the years. With impassioned performances of rap and spoken word, SoL expresses his story of adversities, triumphs, and the small details between. He is backed with a flow equivalent of a wind instrument, empowered delivery, and unique writing style fueled by years of consistency. His performance credentials include the Wine & Jazz Affair series, Perfect Verse Spoken Word + Poetry Night at Nostalgia, SpokenWordSoul at The Greenwich, Cincinnati Poetry Slam, Price Hill Will, and the Paul Laurence Dunbar: A Sesquicentennial Celebration at The Victoria Theatre to name a few. He is currently preparing the release of numerous solo efforts in the Hip-Hop, Poetry, and Blogging realm this year, as well as coproducing The Daisies & Roses poetry collection along with Audra D. The Poetess in support of the The Dunbar 150 Project coming this fall. https://composedinsol.wixsite.com/composedinsol 

Khari

Khari BTB is a trailblazing independent hip-hop artist and educator hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio. From his early days of developing his craft at the age of 6 and touring overseas in Spain with Indie Tour Life, Khari has built a formidable reputation as a rising star in the hip-hop scene. Since dropping his debut professional body of work "Sinsinnati" in 2019, Khari has gained recognition for his exceptional skills as a rapper and songwriter. However, his groundbreaking musical projects, "This is How We Feel" and “The World’s a Stage,” have truly set him apart. With production from Grammy award-winning/Nominated Cincinnatian Sal Dali (Beyonce's "Renaissance" and "Alien Superstar") and Hi-Tek (50 Cent, Dr. Dre, Snoop), Khari's music has resonated with audiences worldwide. 

Khari has recently been recognized for his unique style of teaching in the classroom by using hip-hop to motivate his 5th-grade students at Rockdale Academy. With his method of hip-hop-infused teaching, he raised the literacy rate from 30% to 110% in one quarter. He also has been interviewed around the country, featured on 9 Cincinnati Public School-backed billboards, and honored as a top 10 finalist for Gold Star Chili Teacher of the Year.  In addition, he has been nominated for an Emmy for a discussion focused on Black men in education.

His unwavering dedication to his craft and community has earned him acclaim as a fearless and influential voice in the hip-hop scene and a rising local hero.

Yaya

My name is Yaya Wrights. I am a poet, spoken word artist, and rapper. I was born and raised in Cincinnati. I started writing at the age of four and did my very first open mic at the age of 20. The focus for my poems ranges from a variety of topics and issues. I mostly write about equality, unity, and love. I am also an educator here in the city. My goal is to support and pour into the students. I've performed in many spaces, and I am grateful for the other artists I met along the way and the jewels we transfer to one another.

image credit: El Franco Lee II (American, b. 1985), DJ Screw in Heaven, 2008, acrylic on canvas, 38 x 48 in. (96.5 x 121.9 cm), Private Collection, Houston, ©El Franco Lee II

If you need accessibility accommodations, please contact us in advance at [email protected] or fill out the accessibility request form.