Utilizing the genre of portrait painting—one of the oldest traditions of human picture making—Kate Capshaw creates artworks that explore the socioeconomics of the contemporary moment in America through the narrative of an individual. Unaccompanied is an ongoing series of portraits that give voice to those who are often voiceless, unhoused youth. In collaboration with community youth centers across the United States, Capshaw painted her first portraits in Los Angeles, followed by cities including San Francisco, Minneapolis, Chicago, St. Louis, and New York. Miami, as part of the state of Florida, has recently enacted harsh laws against the unhoused population, making it illegal to sleep on public property.
For this new installation at Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), Capshaw has engaged in a monthslong conversation with Sergei (Sirj) Grant, who was born in North Miami Beach and graduated from Carol City Senior High School in Miami Gardens, on the northern edge of Miami-Dade County. Grant, an entrepreneurial barber plying his trade all around Miami, also teaches and mentors young barbers. His story is one of challenge met with triumph and will be highlighted in this special exhibition.
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Kate Capshaw: Exclusive Tonsorial Services
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