What's Happening?
Precious Okoyomon's installation, 'Everything wants to kill you and you should be afraid,' is now on display at the Whitney Biennial. Initially delayed, the installation is now featured on the museum's eighth floor, where it benefits from natural light.
The work includes approximately 50 stuffed animals and dolls suspended from rafters, creating a stark contrast between childhood innocence and unsettling themes. The installation uses Okoyomon's childhood toys and 'cursed' antiques, adorned with taxidermy feathers, to evoke themes of lynching and suicide. Curator Drew Sawyer describes the piece as a 'sinister, dark narrative' masked by a 'tender' veneer. Okoyomon's work reflects on the 'everyday relational violence' of Blackness and the impact of white supremacy.
Why It's Important?
Okoyomon's installation at the Whitney Biennial is significant for its bold exploration of complex social themes through art. By juxtaposing childhood innocence with themes of violence and oppression, the installation challenges viewers to confront uncomfortable realities about race and history. The work's presence at a major art institution like the Whitney Biennial highlights the role of contemporary art in addressing societal issues and sparking dialogue. Okoyomon's approach to art as a 'slow rearrangement of everyday desire' invites viewers to reflect on the pervasive nature of violence and the potential for healing. The installation's impact extends beyond the art world, contributing to broader conversations about race, identity, and power.
