Sharif Bey: Excavations

Bey explores functional and ritual objects, arts of the African and Oceanic diasporas, and the materiality of clay, metal, wood and glass, rejoicing in nature and awe

How does an artist connect their practice to their identity? In what ways does an artist fulfill a social responsibility to their community? These are the driving questions of Sharif Bey: Excavations, a publication inspired by the artist's solo exhibition at Carnegie Museum of Art in his hometown of Pittsburgh. Through a series of autobiographical excavations highlighting seminal places, peoples and experiences in his artistic journey, Bey (born 1974) explores themes of ancestral wisdom and diasporic identity, while also reflecting on personal connections to museums and cultural organizations. The publication includes an introduction by Rachel Delphia, Alan G. and Jane A. Lehman Curator of Decorative Arts and Design; an essay by James B. Stewart, Penn State Emeritus professor of African American studies; and an exploration of museum collections archives by curatorial assistant Alyssa Velazquez.