Good Grief: A Healing Ritual

In Honor and Memory of Dr. Pellom Mc Daniels, III

Curated by: Constance Lewis

Exhibition Dates: November 1- December 13th 2020

Video Projection Opening: December 5th 7:30p

Recurring daily : 7:30 -11:30pm

“Good Grief: A Healing Ritual” honors the rich and deeply-rooted culture and resilient spirit of this unique community. A “love letter” to New Orleans, and to us all., inspired by the Mardi Gras Masking Indian tradition, artist Fahamy Peou’s 2020 Egungun mask reminds us of the persistence and power of art and ritual. Giving shape and form to unseen spirits, Pecou’s Egungun montaged with archival images from the Jazz and Heritage Foundation digital archive offers an opportunity for reflection and collective healing. Pecou’s contemporary version of a West African ritual costume honoring the ancestors, responds to the performance energies of the Mardi Gras Indians in a video installation that will be projected simultaneously in venues in New Orleans and Oakland, California.

This exhibition is made possible by the generous support of Robert Herndon, Idora Park Project Space, and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation.