The College of Fine, Performing, and Communication Arts (CFPCA), Wayne State University is pleased to present Edge of Visibility and Origins at the Elaine L. Jacob Gallery from February 7 through April 26, 2025. An opening reception will be held on Friday, February 7, 5-8PM.

Edge of Visibility will be featured on the lower level of the gallery with works by Alia Ali, Hasan Elahi, Sahar Khoury, and Jordan Nassar.

Origins will be featured on the upper level of the gallery and highlights works from Wayne State University's permanent collection that reflect the art and material culture of Detroit from the late 20th and early 21st centuries. 

Additional information about both exhibitions can found below.

EDGE OF VISIBILITY

Edge of Visibility is a multimedia exhibition featuring works by artists who address current contemporary concepts. Through individual practices and the use of repetition, color, and abstracted imagery, the artists reflect on personal experiences to explore identity and origin. Tension and harmony are made visible through process and material, representing cultural and historical topics, but also a passage of time. The exhibition features work by Alia Ali, Hasan Elahi, Sahar Khoury, and Jordan Nassar.

ORIGINS

This exhibition highlights works in Wayne State University’s permanent collection that reflect the art and material culture of Detroit from the late 20th and early 21st centuries. These works illustrate that significant and engaging art has emerged from a community often overlooked in the discussion of contemporary art and reveal the evolving narratives that emphasize that Detroit has always had something to say.

Included in this exhibition is a collection of works from the Alternative Press, curated by Jakira Ahmed, the first Susanne Feld Hilberry Curatorial Fellow, a phenomenon that epitomizes the origins of Detroit art. As we examine the art and literature produced by the Alternative Press in the 1960s though 1980s, it becomes clear that many parallels exist between then and now. Today's visual and literary creators, much like their predecessors, are actively navigating a politically charged environment. However, the contrast between the grassroots movement that defined Detroit's art scene during that time and the globalized art world we face today is striking and undeniable.

The close-knit Detroit art community of the mid-20th century stands in stark contrast to the expansive platform of contemporary art fairs, which promote a new level of global interconnectivity. This global perspective often obscures the origins of the art being presented.

The works in this exhibition not only reflect a deep understanding of the broader art world but also highlights ideas and approaches that are distinct to Detroit's cultural landscape. Each piece represents a strong loyalty to the artist’s place of origin, illustrating how cultural expression has developed into a unique and diverse Detroit style.