HWS News
24 September 2024 Jones '25 Curates Exhibit Featuring Afroperipheral Artists By Fiona Gallagher '26
Kisean Jones ’25 takes his exhibit of Afro-Brazilian art from the Provenzano Student Gallery to Philadelphia.
“Brasil: Reflections of the Afro-periphery,” an exhibit curated by Kisean Jones ’25, premiered at the Provenzano Student Art Gallery on campus this semester and is now on display at Holy Family University in Philadelphia through Oct. 11.
Jones, who studied abroad in Brazil, was moved to create the exhibit after attending a show in Rio de Janeiro curated by the Kambacua Collective. “It was inspiring and I immediately knew I had to recreate a show like this back in the U.S.,” he explains. “In fact, one of the pieces that was featured in that show, I bought and imported here just to be in Provenzano.”
While planning the exhibit, Jones says he paid special attention to the colors of each piece and the overarching story they tell — one of resistance, hope, perseverance and uncertainty.
Jones says he selected works, many of which are from his personal collection, to help viewers visualize Afroperipheral identities and “encourage the connection to the reality of being Afro-Brazilian.”
“Being able to share my personal collection and the work of the artists I represent feels magnificent,” he says. “I am honored that Provenzano would give me the chance to bring my love of Brazilian material culture to HWS.”
While studying abroad in Brazil during a summer program led by Professor of History Colby Ristow, Jones examined the contemporary African diaspora in Rio de Janeiro. He returned to Brazil this summer for an internship with Urban Bike in Sao Paulo, where he worked as an operations management intern.
After returning from the abroad program, Jones founded the Lisbon Group International Art Collective, specializing in the importation, sale and curation of Afrocentric Fine Art. Follow the collective on Instagram @tlgartcollective.
Jones is a double major in Latin American history and Spanish and Hispanic studies. He also studied abroad in Seville, Spain in Fall 2023. On campus, he is a member of the Chimera Honor Society and serves on the Dean’s Council.
Top: Students look at pieces of art during the opening of the "Brasil: Reflections of the Afro-periphery" exhibit in the Provenzano Student Art Gallery.
