International African American Museum’s Special Exhibition “Unsettled Things: Art from an African American South” Nears May 2025 Closing Date

April 9, 2025

MEDIA ADVISORY: IAAM’s “Unsettled Things” Special Exhibition Leaving May 4

Contact: Paul Holston, IAAM Marketing & Communications Manager, [email protected]; IAAM Marketing Division, [email protected]

International African American Museum’s Special Exhibition “Unsettled Things: Art from an African American South” Nears May 2025 Closing Date

Charleston, S.C. – The International African American Museum (IAAM) is reminding media members, visitors, and supporters that its renowned special exhibition, “Unsettled Things: Art from an African American South,” will conclude its successful run at IAAM on Sunday, May 4, 2025. This powerful and thought-provoking exhibition has captivated audiences with its exploration of the diverse artistic expressions and experiences of Black artists rooted in the American South.

The exhibition was organized by the Ackland Art Museum at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with the help of national tour sponsor Bank of America. Additional support comes from the Major Sponsor, Tim W. Hughes and Gail Coutcher-Hughes, and Contributing Sponsor, the Herzman-Fishman Charitable Fund.

“Unsettled Things” features a compelling collection of works spanning various mediums, including paintings, sculptures, photography, and mixed media. Featuring 44 works by 28 artists, this exhibition challenges traditional hierarchies and showcases the brilliance of often-overlooked Black artists from the South. The exhibition dives into themes of life, spirit, and materiality that transform American Art and has helped shape the Black Southern experience. Visitors have lauded the exhibition at IAAM for its insightful curation and the profound dialogue it sparks.

IAAM encourages those who have not yet experienced “Unsettled Things” to visit before its departure on May 4. This is a unique opportunity to engage with the rich artistic heritage and contemporary voices of the African American South within the museum’s inspiring setting.

 “’Unsettled Things’ invites us to reimagine the boundaries of art. Each piece in the exhibition carries a personal history, a reflection of struggle, resilience, and connection,” said Martina Morale, IAAM’s Director of Curatorial & Special Exhibitions. “Curated by the late Bernard L. Herman and Lauren Turner, ‘Unsettled Things’ reveals how everyday materials can be transformed into powerful artworks that speak to both personal and collective experiences.”

Don’t Miss Tomorrow’s April 10, Program: “Unsettled & Unfinished: The Ongoing Story of Black Southern Artistry”

Adding to our ongoing special exhibition, IAAM is pleased to present the upcoming program on Thursday, April 10 from 6:30PM to 8:30PM: Unsettled & Unfinished: The Ongoing Story of Black Southern Artistry. This program, taking place less than a month before the departure of “Unsettled Things,” will further delve into the enduring legacy and evolving narratives of Black artistic production in the South. 

“Unsettled & Unfinished expands on the exhibition’s central themes by creating space for reflection on the ongoing evolution of Black Southern creative identity,” said Brandon Reid, IAAM’s Public Historian. “Rather than focusing on individual works, this program centers lived experience and artistic practice as key ways of engaging ideas of place, memory, and material tradition. In doing so, it highlights how contemporary Black artists both inherit and reshape the cultural narratives of the South.”

This program promises to be an engaging and informative event for art enthusiasts and those interested in the ongoing story of Black creativity, with beginning the night on a tour of the exhibition from 6:30PM to 7:00PM, followed by a thought-provoking discussion led by Morale. Joining her are Charleston sweetgrass specialist Corey Alston and southern artist and quilter LaToya Thompson, who will both share their artistic journeys and explore how Southern Black traditions continue to shape contemporary artistry.

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About the International African American Museum

The International African American Museum (IAAM) explores the history, culture, and impact of the African American journey on Charleston, South Carolina, the nation, and the world, shining light and sharing stories of the diverse journeys, origin, and achievements of descendants of the African Diaspora. Located at the historically sacred site of Gadsden’s Wharf, IAAM honors the untold stories of the African American journey. Learn more about IAAM at www.iaamuseum.org and follow IAAM on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, TikTok, and LinkedIn.