COLLARD GREENS

This iteration of the refuge series, “Collard Greens”, was premiered at Harlem’s Caribbean Cultural Center and Afro-Diasporic Institute. It is composed of a large, quilted unbleached denim floor; a table with various objects placed upon it; a number wall drawings in white graffiti marker; 4 large denim paintings; 2 chairs which were used to clean collards during the opening; roses hung from the ceiling; and a quote from James Baldwin.

During the opening, like the rest of the works in the refuge series, the space was inaugurated with a cello performance. After the performance, 7 paper bags worth of collard greens were brought to the center of the space and people were invited to come sit in the space and clean them with me. People were invited to sit in the space and rest.

A mental wellness workshop exclusively for Queer and Trans* People of Color was given in the space, re-activating it mid-exhibition. Herbs for mental wellness and health were explord in this workshop and after I gave pay-what-you-wish tarot readings to the community.

The closing had me serving the collard greens which had been cooked and frozen just after the opening.