In Sight

These photos are an antidote to the all-too common stereotypes of Black girls we usually see

Project for Empty Space in Newark is holding an exhibition called “Scheherazade Tillet: Black Girl Play” until March 13.

A news release from Project for Empty Space describes the exhibition:

“This exhibition is the culmination of several series by the artist created over five years in three locations — Chicago, Port-of-Spain, and Newark, NJ — in which the artist spent her childhood and/or worked. Building on her residency at New Arts Justice and Shine Portrait Studio at Express Newark, these collections are threaded together by the common exploration of the ways in which community tradition, playful interaction, and radical joy converge at various points in the lives of Black girls.”

The Party, Newark, New Jersey (From the series: "Eight"), 2020.

Mermaids Gathering during quarantine, South Orange, a suburb of Newark, New Jersey (From the series: "Eight"), 2020.

Playing with Makeup Birthday Gift with a Close Friend, Newark, New Jersey (From the series: "Eight"), 2020.

Tillet’s work brings together vibrantly colorful images made across a range of experiences, including prom preparation in Chicago, private play in the intimate setting of home and scenes made during the Kiddies Carnival in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.

Jermiah Getting Ready in the Room with her Fans, Chicago, Illinois (From the series: "Prom Send-Off"), 2019.

The Coronation of Danielle, Chicago, Illinois (From the series: "Prom Send-Off"), 2019.

Nya with her Aunt and Hairdresser Getting a Sew at Home, Chicago, Illinois (From the series: "Prom Send-Off"), 2019.

The exhibition serves as an antidote to much of the stereotypical depiction of Black girls that has been so pervasive. As the news release notes:

“An important element of the exhibition is the radically beautiful resistance it presents against a historic American stereotype that robs Black girls of their childhood. Too often, Black girls are seen as sexual objects or treated as adults with a type of callous disregard for their joy and innocence. Tillet’s photographs frame Black girlhood in deliberate opposition to this violent apathy towards Black children. They remind us that joy and play are not only prevalent and normal but things to be preserved and validated.”

Queen of the Band, Junior's Competition, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (From the series: "Kiddies Carnival"), 2020.

Moko Jumbie School Girl, Mucurapo Girls R.C. Primary School, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

(From the series: "Kiddies Carnival"), 2020.

Playing Mas on the Savannah Stage, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (From the series: "Kiddies Carnival"), 2020.

You can find out more about the exhibition on the Project for Empty Space website, here.

Offerings to Yemaya, Rainbow Beach, Chicago, Illinois (From the series: "The Black Girlhood Altar"), 2021.

In Sight is The Washington Post’s photography blog for visual narrative. This platform showcases compelling and diverse imagery from staff members and freelance photographers, news agencies and archives. If you are interested in submitting a story to In Sight, please complete this form.

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Credits

Photo editing and production by Kenneth Dickerman