On View January 11 - February 16, 2025
The Four Virtues is a four-part monograph that explores and cements the virtue of Black Men and boys through images. The Four Virtues: Fatherhood, Work, Wonder, and Fellowship provide witness to the complexity of Black Men and boys as they navigate narratives hostile to their identities, wellness, and the communities in which they live. Mirroring the cardinal virtues, these captured images and written exposition explore how these Four Virtues provide the lens through which Black men and boys should be supported, loved, and honored in our society.
Chicagoland has a rich tradition and history of being an anchor for Black excellence: showcasing these virtues in action creates a beacon of light for Black men and boys while disrupting false narratives that negatively impact their wellness. This light is needed more than ever as “Black Male Suicides are Rising Faster Than Any Other Racial Group.” The images and writing for the first virtue, FatherHood, were featured at the Evanston Art Center (EAC) in 2023. The second virtue, Work, was featured at the EAC in 2024. The third virtue, Wonder which will be featured at the EAC in 2025 will explore the relationship of Black men as they navigate their communities in a state of wonder. This virtue directly runs counter to the forced need for hyper-vigilance which is required from a young age to mitigate environmental threats that they face as Black men and boys. It also runs counter to the expectation that they, as Black men and boys, are inherently threatening to the communities in which they belong.
