Artist Talk Recap featuring Nazeer Sabree and The Event Phrase
How can you showcase Black life without completely lifting the veil? This was one of the many topics discussed during the artist talk celebrating artist Nazeer Sabree's second solo exhibition, The Event Phrase, at Paradigm Gallery in Old City, Philadelphia.
Following the success of Sabree’s first solo art show in 2023, many were eager to see what was next for the artist, especially given his whirlwind career to date, which included having work acquired for the Philadelphia Art Museum's (formerly known as the Philadelphia Museum of Art) permanent collection. While we all thought we knew Sabree’s signature art style, as seen in the “False Face" series —a collection of portraits featuring mixed media and collage work that showcases cultural archives of Black life & Black culture. This time, he went a little deeper, stepping away from the normal tone of his work to a more personal side, sharing stories of his family, friends, and the life that led the artist to where he is today. Seeing the work up close, many of the pieces feature portraits of the artist himself layered with symbolism detailing his relationship with his father, the influences of the women in his life, and the newfound love with his partner.
From left to right:
Imani Roach, Nazeer Sabree, and Ginger Rudolph in conversation during the artist talk at Paradigm Gallery.
With Nazeer Sabree unfolding a new side of his artistry to the world, it was exciting to hear the inspiration and stories behind the work. The artist talk also featured Imani Roach, who is an educator, artist, and newly appointed Curatorial Director for the Center for African and African Diasporic Art, and Ginger Rudolph, an independent curator who was the woman behind curating both of Nazeer Sabree's solo exhibitions. When the conversation started, the first question that was introduced was the meaning of showcasing Black life and making it visible through art. When making Black art visible, Roach brought in the concept of what is to be concealed versus what is to be revealed to the audience. She continued by stating that some things should be kept secret while guiding the audience to being comfortable with slow looking, earning knowledge, and accessing information when it comes to the meaning and visibility of Black art.
I Ought to be Thy Adam, 2025
Since Sabree’s work in this current exhibition reveals so much about his childhood, personal relationships, and family history, it would seem that so much is revealed to the audience, but according to Sabree, he was able to do the opposite by “setting boundaries with the viewer and space not to exploit himself”.
The journey of the conversation also leads to how much the artist explains the meaning & messages of the work. Is it something that should be explained, or should it be the responsibility of the audience to understand the message of the work on their own, or at least an interpretation?
Wings of a Crow, 2025
When looking at the work of The Event Phrase exhibit, you can see the clear stories of his family being told through each painting. One that stands out is a portrait of his grandfather in his casket during his funeral titled, Wings of a Crow. The figure can be seen dressed in all white with a glitter halo around his head, as he is being laid to rest. The white of the suit & halo glows against the rough texture of the background, which seems incomplete compared to the smooth texture of the figure in white. You can also see the slight feather pattern of the wing of a crow, which signifies transformation and the duality of death and wisdom. Seeing this piece of work, you can instantly connect to loss, grief of loved ones, especially those high on the hierarchy of family, but also knowing that death can lead to peace and serenity, which could explain the smoothness and brightness of the figure.
Towards the end of the conversation, the question posed by Rudolph was, ‘What is it that you want people to see when looking at the work? After a bit of a pause, Sabree simply explained that he did not want people to see his work but instead wanted people to feel his work.
With the Event Phrase, you can definitely feel the loss, the grief, the love, and the journey of Nazeer Sabree. Each work beautifully explores the tenderness and vulnerability of not just Black life from a Black man’s perspective but of the artist's own personal life. It allows connecting to Nazeer Sabree’s story while also reconnecting to your own and finding ways to reflect on your own journey and the experiences we share in life, love, and with family, and how it shapes us in becoming the person we are today.
