Image courtesy of the New Museum
For her latest exhibition, New York artist Simone Leigh has spearheaded an exploration on non-traditional medicine and, more specifically, its context with regards to black women. Currently on display at the New Museum in New York, “The Waiting Room” serves as an investigation of the urgency, agency and intervention practiced by black women when faced with an overall institutionalised deferral and debasement towards their illnesses.
With a line-up that includes care sessions, public programming and underground partnerships, “The Waiting Room” is both a sanctuary and a rebellion against America’s constant denial of black pain. The care sessions consist of free workshops and healing treatments that focus on a range of homeopathic services like massage and acupuncture. Public programmes on the other hand, are ticketed events that shed light on topics such as abortion and bodily toxicity. Underground partnerships are closed to community members and aim to provide specialised workshops in a safe, intimate space for museum partners only. This is not Leigh’s first creative analysis of the intersection between medicine and race, and can be considered a continuation of her 2014 Creative Time project “Free People’s Medical Clinic”. Exhibition details and scheduling information for the artist’s current project at the New Museum can be viewed on their website.
Afrocentering is a movement philosophy created by Aimee Meredith Cox that focuses on mind–body connection and self-awareness. In this Thursday’s #SimoneLeigh Care Session, 7-8:30pm, Cox will lead participants through movements that incorporate Katherine Dunham–inspired dance, yoga, and Pilates. To attend the session, sign up in our Lobby on the day of the event.
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Simone Leigh’s “The Waiting Room” is at New York’s New Museum until 18 September 2016