A striking tribute to Detroit's artistic past and present, the "Bridges, Because of Them" exhibit at the Carr Center is a testament to the city's rich cultural heritage. The show brings together historic works from Detroit collectors with contemporary creations by local fine artists, highlighting Black artists and narratives that celebrate identity and shared culture.
Curated by a multigenerational team, including Henry Harper, Andre Reed Jr., and Kendale L. Jones, the exhibition pairs timeless pieces with innovative works, revealing the threads of resilience, power, and imagination that bind them together. The contrast between old and new is powerful, yet harmonious, creating a living bridge – inheriting the past while building the future.
One of the standout pieces in the show is "Don't Let Your Dreams Be Dreams" by Henry Heading, which depicts Jack Johnson, the first African American to win the heavyweight boxing title in 1908. The painting's striking black-and-white realism and sculptural frame make it a masterpiece. The piece is priced at $40,000, yet its significance is timeless.
The exhibit also features contemporary works that will become iconic in Metro Detroit, including "Gold & Gasoline" by Aya Hasan. This vibrant painting merges modern and traditional elements, beautifully capturing the essence of everyday Detroiters who rep their city with pride. The piece is priced at $2,000, yet its impact is immeasurable.
What resonates throughout the show is the importance of art in bridging the past, present, and future. Each piece carries elements of all three time periods, making every work feel timeless in its own right. The exhibit reminds us that art has the power to bring people together and celebrate our shared cultural heritage.
I strongly encourage everyone to experience "Bridges, Because of Them" for themselves. With a little time on your hands, you won't regret it – trust me, this show is one for the books!
Curated by a multigenerational team, including Henry Harper, Andre Reed Jr., and Kendale L. Jones, the exhibition pairs timeless pieces with innovative works, revealing the threads of resilience, power, and imagination that bind them together. The contrast between old and new is powerful, yet harmonious, creating a living bridge – inheriting the past while building the future.
One of the standout pieces in the show is "Don't Let Your Dreams Be Dreams" by Henry Heading, which depicts Jack Johnson, the first African American to win the heavyweight boxing title in 1908. The painting's striking black-and-white realism and sculptural frame make it a masterpiece. The piece is priced at $40,000, yet its significance is timeless.
The exhibit also features contemporary works that will become iconic in Metro Detroit, including "Gold & Gasoline" by Aya Hasan. This vibrant painting merges modern and traditional elements, beautifully capturing the essence of everyday Detroiters who rep their city with pride. The piece is priced at $2,000, yet its impact is immeasurable.
What resonates throughout the show is the importance of art in bridging the past, present, and future. Each piece carries elements of all three time periods, making every work feel timeless in its own right. The exhibit reminds us that art has the power to bring people together and celebrate our shared cultural heritage.
I strongly encourage everyone to experience "Bridges, Because of Them" for themselves. With a little time on your hands, you won't regret it – trust me, this show is one for the books!
just saw the coolest exhibit in Detroit - "Bridges, Because of Them" 
its like they took all these old artworks from collectors and paired them with new stuff by local artists... and man oh man it was like seeing a whole new side of detroit's history 
i loved how they did this show, made it feel all cozy and intimate like your grandma's attic but also super modern and trendy 
and that painting of jack johnson? 
its like the most iconic thing i've seen in ages - $40k for a piece that just speaks to who we are as people... worth every penny imo 
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. And then there's "Gold & Gasoline" by Aya Hasan... that painting just radiates Detroit pride and energy 
. It's not just about looking at some pretty pictures - it's about feeling connected to the city and its history. So yeah, I'd definitely recommend checking out "Bridges, Because of Them" 
The exhibit reminds us that art has the power to bring people together and celebrate our shared heritage, which is so important in today's world. I'm not surprised this show is one for the books - it's a masterpiece 
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I just watched a video about this exhibit and I gotta say, that art piece "Don't Let Your Dreams Be Dreams" by Henry Heading is 
The way the painting looks all old-school but still super modern at the same time... it's like a work of art that's meant to be seen. 
! It's so cool to see historic works alongside fresh creations by local artists. The curator team has done an amazing job of highlighting Black artists and narratives – it's time we celebrate our cultural heritage more often 
? Can't wait to see the rest of the exhibit and experience that community feel for myself 
. And that price point of $40k for "Don't Let Your Dreams Be Dreams" is insane 
, but you can tell it's worth every penny just by looking at it.
I'm intrigued by the idea of bridging the past and present through art, but I need to see some sources on how the exhibit's curation team came up with these historical pieces. Is there any documentation on how they selected the works? And what's the story behind "Don't Let Your Dreams Be Dreams"? How did Henry Harper come across this particular painting? 
. And I gotta say, that painting of Jack Johnson by Henry Heading gives me chills 
. But what really resonates with me is how the exhibit shows us that art has the power to bridge not just time periods, but also cultures 
. It's a reminder that we're all connected in so many ways 
It's not just about looking at pretty pictures – it's about being a part of something bigger than ourselves 
, and I'm loving the vibe of the show so far 
gotta get ur hands on "gold & gasoline" by aya hasan tho, that painting is straight fire