Cristin Tierney Gallery presents a solo exhibition of new works on canvas by Dread Scott. Entitled Goddam, the show features four works inspired by songs sung by Nina Simone: Goddam, Four Women, I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to be Free, and Pirate Jenny.
The song "Mississippi Goddam" was Nina Simone's response to the murders of Emmett Till and Medgar Evers in Mississippi and the Baptist church bombing in Alabama. Considered her first protest song, the song laments the violence perpetuated against Black communities, calling out the states where the crimes happened. Scott's print repeats the song's utterance "Goddam!" in red capital letters spread across a silver ground. At the center is a black and white image of the US Capitol, flanked by outlines of Florida, Texas, Minnesota, and Georgia. These states are at the forefront of such nationwide problems as brutality, murder, and control of and cruelty to Black people, women, and the LGBTQ+ community. They are places where recent events have spurred nationwide protests and resistance but little change in legislation—except for increasing disenfranchisement of Black people.
