‘I am’ Art Exhibition seeks Pittsburgh artists

Quincy Swatson is inviting artists across the city and beyond to be part of the gallery show he is curating in May called “I am” Art Exhibition. It aims to showcase the diverse tapestry of the human experience and the duality of art.

“There’s so much in the world that’s not representative of such a large group and a large population of people. I really want more people to be represented in artwork, so I try to select artwork that allows people to see themselves in it,” Swatson said.

Swatson is of Ghanaian descent and wanted to showcase joyous, uplifted and positive images of the African Diaspora, and founded Kofi Collections in 2022 because he started collecting artworks.

“I really enjoy going to art shows,” he said.

His early pieces had all been from Pittsburgh artists. Being able to speak with the artists and hear their perspectives on their creations allowed him to build a deep connection to the pieces.

“I needed to purchase it not only for me, but to support artists and continue their journey and careers. I felt like I contributed to creating a future for the pieces,” he said.

Swatson wanted to help create the same atmosphere for artists and those who enjoy art.

Artist Ashanté Josey said she will be one of the artists featured in the upcoming exhibition.

“I created the piece ‘I am’ to define and document my identity as a Black woman. My goal was to extract empowering words from old newspapers, serving as a constant reminder of my worth. Despite the challenges Black women face, I wanted this piece to assert how I perceive and honor Black women. In America, Black women remain undervalued and disrespected,” Josey said. “I look forward to witnessing the diverse expressions of identity by Black creatives as they share their ‘I am’ narratives.”

Andrew Hendrick, a sculpture and costume designer, met Swatson at an art show when he was in Pittsburgh for the first time. For the art show in May, Hendricks will display two sculptures influenced by Japanese culture, one themed after a bear and another after a lizard.

“I hope that people are able to get more of an understanding of Japanese art and culture, even if it’s just one person,” Hendrick said.

Hendrick was inspired by the Japanese culture and their dedication to excellence. He reflected on the artistry that exists within their armory, weapons and swords.

The exhibition on May 3 falls on Swatson’s birthday. For his birthday, he wanted to find a way to give back to others and celebrate the talent of underrepresented artists in the community. Swatson said the location will be announced closer to the exhibition date.

More information on the event can be found here. Click here for the artist submission link.