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Thelma Golden is a name that resonates powerfully in the art world. As the Director and Chief Curator of The Studio Museum in Harlem, she has been instrumental in promoting diversity and sustainability in the art world. This blog post delves into her life, her work, and her impact on sustainability in the art world.

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Thelma Golden: A Brief Biography

Born in 1965 in St. Albans, Queens, Thelma Golden has been a trailblazer in the art world. Her journey began with her training as a curatorial apprentice at the Metropolitan Museum of Art during her senior year of high school. She later earned her B.A. degree in art history and African American studies from Smith College in 1987.

Golden’s career has been marked by her commitment to showcasing diverse voices and her innovative exhibitions. Her work at the Whitney Museum of American Art and The Studio Museum in Harlem has had a significant impact on the contemporary art world.

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The Studio Museum in Harlem: A Hub for African American Art

The Studio Museum in Harlem, under Golden’s leadership, has become a hub for artists of African descent. The museum has provided a platform for these artists, showcasing their work and introducing political and controversial works into mainstream art collections.

The museum also supports local artists, contributing to the sustainability of the local art community. By reducing the environmental impact associated with transporting artworks from distant locations, the museum aligns with the principles of environmental sustainability.

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The Studio Museum in Harlem is the nexus for artists of African descent locally, nationally, and internationally.

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Thelma Golden and Sustainability in Art

While Golden may not be an artist in the traditional sense, her work in the art world aligns with the principles of sustainability. She promotes social sustainability through her commitment to diversity and equal opportunity. Her support for local artists contributes to environmental sustainability, while her curated exhibitions educate the public about various social and political issues, contributing to intellectual sustainability.

Golden’s work in curating and preserving art also contributes to cultural sustainability. By preserving artworks and making them accessible to the public, she helps to sustain our cultural heritage.

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Tadáskía: A Journey of Freedom and Time in Art

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The Studio Museum in Harlem is excited to showcase "Projects: Tadáskía," an exhibition running from May 24 to October 14, 2024. It celebrates the art of Tadáskía, a Black trans artist from Santíssimo, a district on the periphery of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Tadáskía's work is a distinctive fusion of photography, paper works, installations, and performances, challenging viewers to engage with and interrogate the worlds she conjures. A highlight of the exhibition is her extensive unbound book, "ave preta mística mystical black bird" (2022), which weaves together her spontaneous drawings and bilingual poetry. The story, tracing the journey of a winged figure in pursuit of freedom, is deeply rooted in Tadáskía's personal journey as a Black trans woman.

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In addition to her book, Tadáskía has created a large-scale wall drawing and a series of sculptures specifically for this exhibition. Her dynamic mark-making invites viewers to follow her fluid, changing lines, while the natural materials used in her sculptures reflect the transient nature of life. As Tadáskía herself has said, “the main character in the work is time”.

This exhibition, which is Tadáskía’s first solo presentation in the United States, is curated by Thelma Golden, Director and Chief Curator of the Studio Museum in Harlem, and Ana Torok, the Sue and Eugene Mercy, Jr. Assistant Curator, Department of Drawings and Prints, MoMA, with the assistance of Kiki Teshome, Curatorial Assistant, the Studio Museum in Harlem.

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