Torn Asunder: A Solo Presentation by Andrew Wilson
January 11–March 16, 2024
Andrew Wilson Solo Presentation
Curated by Jonathan Carver Moore
Image: Andrew Wilson. Torn Asunder Installation View, 2013–2023. Jonathan Carver Moore, San Francisco.
Jonathan Carver Moore
966 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
Jonathan Carver Moore Website
Jonathan Carver Moore Instagram
Jonathan Carver Moore Hours
The gallery is open Saturdays 12–4 p.m. and by appointment.
Overview
It is a peculiar sensation, this double-consciousness, this sense of always looking at one’s self through the eyes of others, of measuring one’s soul by the tape of a world that looks on in amused contempt and pity. One ever feels his two-ness, —an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder. —W.E.B. DuBois, The Souls of Black Folk
I was glad to see Andrew Wilson’s Torn Asunder on a quiet afternoon at Jonathan Carver Moore. Oftentimes I attend JCM’s openings, which are so fun and vibrant, a definite TO DO if you haven’t done so already, but Wilson’s voice personified in pose does so best in a silent space.
Torn Asunder consists of nearly 50 photographic images taken by Wilson in 2013. The inspiration for the show includes his own figure modeling, the W.E.B. DuBois book, The Souls of Black Folk, and Wilson’s poem, “Torn Asunder: Temptation of One Dark Body”, the text of which lines the bodies in his numbered series.
His artist statement describes the show as: “Torn Asunder uses a queer eye and lens (not as a sexual desire), but as a means of opening new possibilities outside the hetero-white-christian-cis-able-bodied gaze to pierce the veil and open the meaning of maleness and blackness while maintaining the integrity and humanity of its subjects. What happens when we are able to experience the nude Black male form not as a fetish object, but as a map to freedom and revolution?”
“Torn Asunder: Temptation of One Dark Body” (book available for purchase) is a queer love letter to the male Black form. It starts with “Dear black boy” and concludes as a beautiful expression of agape love for the self.
Most people familiar with Wilson’s work know his clothing and textile pieces. I first encountered his work in 2018 through MoAD’s emerging artists program, and have been an admirer ever since (big lover of textile art over here).
Wilson’s Torn Asunder does so with so much grace. It’s edgy, strong existential feels.
🗓 TORN ASUNDER runs until March 16, 2024 at Jonathan Carver Moore.
💌 Did you see the show? What did you think? Let us know in the comments (in the Reviews section located on the second tab at the top of the page).
Quick Guide: Jonathan Carver Moore
⭐ LOCATION: Jonathan Carver Moore is located in San Francisco at 966 Market Street between Mason and Taylor, a few doors down from the Warfield, across the street from IKEA (3 min away from the Powell Street Bart station).
⭐ HOURS: The gallery is open Saturdays 12–4 p.m. and by appointment.
💌 More nearby suggestions are always welcome. Feel free to add in the comments!
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