Hip Hop Studies Summit
2024 Community Exhibition
5:55
“Kill the ego. Make it about the art." - Nas
The 5th Annual Hip Hop Studies Summit celebrates the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop by honoring its 5th pillar. 50 years of creativity, collaboration, culture, consciousness, community. 50 years of defining and building all five pillars of hip hop—MCing, DJing, Graffiti, Breakdancing, all culminating in the fifth and most important element: Knowledge of Self. Knowledge of Self requires us to look inward and recognize our own gifts, and then respect and honor those gifts by sharing them with others. Knowledge of Self also celebrates the collective self, as wisdom is shared and received as part of the collective intelligence of the community. Knowledge is the glue that holds the culture of hip hop together.
To survive, Hip Hop focused less on its ego and more on creating. To thrive, Hip Hop had to be willing to adapt and be flexible, to innovate and evolve. With Knowledge, Hip Hop was unafraid to express its authentic self, regardless of what others said it should be. With Knowledge, we can be unafraid to express our own authentic self.
5:55 celebrates the creative process. Artists were invited to look inward and create something that reflects their authentic self, fully and fearlessly. In the spirit of Knowledge of Self, we encourage artists to share their unique gifts in order to uplift the collective intelligence of the culture.
Kill the ego. Make the art.
Juror
Robert Newman
Robert Newman is a 2014 Morehouse College graduate and works as an artist and entrepreneur based in Harlem, New York. Prior to working as a full-time artist, Newman worked as a Wall Street financial / business analyst for over 8 years working for Morgan Stanley & Neuberger Berman. Although Newman has been an artist for most of his life, it wasn't until the summer of 2022 that he decided to pursue art full-time. As a visual artist, Newman has exhibited his work in galleries and museums both nationally and internationally. He is involved in various mentoring initiatives and arts-based non-profits, including his current role as a Board of Directors for Americans for the Arts member. Some of his noteworthy projects/campaigns include The Words on White Movement (2016-2019), Silent Renaissance Series (2017-2019), and The 10,000 Paintings Project (2016-2022).
Featuring
Miquiel Banks
Mignon Farmani (aka COCO FARMANI)
Sean Paul Gallegos
Andrea Habersham
LPAEkili Ross
Diane Staver
NINA SYII
Delfina Torres
Vado Va
Juror Selections
Sean Paul Gallegos, Madonna and Child, 2020. Hand sewn and embroidered discarded toddler and adult sneakers, thread, laces, wire and taxidermy eyes. 18.5 x 14 x 12 inches. (https://www.seanpaulgallegos.com)
LPAEkili Ross, FATT FATT ONE, 2023. Digital print. 12 x 12 inches. IG @lstpxl (https://www.bylp.art)
Diane Staver, Bakery, 2023. Acrylic on canvas. 20 x 30 inches. IG @urban_art_by_diane (https://www.dianestaver.com) FB @Urban Art, Diane Staver
NINA SYII, from the Sonic Expressions series, BlackStar, 2023. Digital print. 10 x 8. @ninasyii_
Vado Va, Funk the Cypher, 2023. Digital print. 18 x 13 inches. IG @vadova_artworks
Gallery
2024 Hip Hop Studies Summit
2022 Hip Hop Studies Summit
Hip Hop Studies Summit
Planning Committee
Emilie Koenig, English
Brent McLaren, Counseling
Adam Martinez, English
Donald Essex, DPS Counseling
Tara Johnson, Fashion Merchandising
Taisha McMickens, Communication Studies
The Hip Hop Studies Summit is presented by the Arts, Communication, & Design Academic and Career Community in partnership with UMOJA and the Center for Culture and Social Justice.
