tending to

stewarded by in c/o: Black Women (in care of Black women), “tending to” is an on-going care history exhibition collecting stories of Black women that explore their relationships to care

the first iteration of tending to featured five interviews conducted by Madison Elaine and Karizma Blackburn with Chicago-based women, Dianne, Trish, Adero, Jennifer, and Tanya. Marcus Yarbrough captured portraits, and a public exhibition was held at #BreathingRoom Gardens hosted by #LetUsBreatheCollective

in collaboration with photographer, Kayla Reefer, tending to: identidad opens October 12, 2024 at 5958 S. Carpenter, Chicago, IL

“Identidad” is a photographic study and personal journey by Kayla Reefer that examines the intricacies of familial Afro-Panamanian heritage and identity. Through this exploration, Reefer aims to amplify Afro-Panamanian and Afro-Latin presence, redefine narratives, and foster greater recognition and belonging for Afro-Latine communities in their collective consciousness, creating an archive that serves as a testament to their ancestry while empowering future generations to embrace their cultural histories. It is Reefer’s intention is to push forward new forms of social praxis art, and through Identidad, offer transformative opportunities to confront the misrepresentation and erasure of Afro-Latine individuals within the complex social dichotomies of Latinidad.

Together, “tending to: identidad” explores the correlation of Black women’s relationship to care and the richness of their Afro-Latine identity.