Arthur Jafa’s Elegy to America
Stephanie Wambugu on “I Am Tony” at the New Museum; plus, catch up on last week’s NYC fairs.
Arthur Jafa's expansive survey at the New Museum in New York City is the most comprehensive exhibition of his work yet. Spanning two levels of the historic institution, the show is a four-decade-long exploration of Black culture, religion, virality, and racial violence in America. Art critic Stephanie Wambugu, author of Lonely Crowds (2025), muses whether some of Jafa's work might prioritize the obscure for its intellectual allure over broader comprehension.
Despite such critiques, the exhibition's varied mediums - video art, sculpture, and photography - successfully delve into themes like Black music history, American cinema, political violence, and the Internet's role in culture. Jafa's signature dry humor laces the work, turning even the most somber moments into something poignant.
The New Museum's sprawling installation successfully captures Jafa's unique artistic lens while also pushing the boundaries of what his work can achieve.
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