Griffith J. Davis. Griff Davis reviews the script for Liberia's first promotional film "Pepperbird Land"with its narrator, emerging actor Sidney Poitier in Monrovia, Liberia, 1952. Griffith J. Davis Photographs and Archives.
STILL HERE: The Griffith J. Davis Photographs and Archives in Context
January 22 – March 06, 2021
USF Contemporary Art Museum West Gallery
Still Here: The Griffith J. Davis Photographs and Archives in Context features rarely seen 1939 to 1988 era photographic imagery of the groundbreaking life and photographic practice of Griff Davis. A pioneer international photographer, journalist, U.S. Senior Foreign Service Officer, and photo-documentarian, Mr. Davis' artistic and iconic photographs capture historical moments and figures, lifestyles, personalities and people across a spectrum of political, socio-economic and artistic sectors at the vortex of the Civil Rights Movement and the Independence Movement of Africa. His multi-media work will be fully displayed in context with thematically complementary contemporary artworks by artists Romare Bearden, Emory Douglas, Jacob A. Lawrence, Deana Lawson, Zanele Muholi, and Hank Willis Thomas.
Still Here is curated by Dorothy M. Davis, President of Griffith J. Davis Photographs and Archives; Christian Viveros-Fauné, CAM Curator at Large; and Noel Smith, CAM Deputy Director and Curator of Latin American and Caribbean Art; and organized by USFCAM.
PRESS
03/09/2021 - Gallery experiences go virtual at the USF Contemporary Art Museum - By Jessi Smith, 83degrees
03/01/2021 - See Here, Works by Griffith J. Davis at the USF Contemporary Art Museum - By Bob Devin Jones, Creative Pinellas
ONLINE EXHIBITION
Exhibition Home // Foreword + Acknowledgements // Introduction by Dorothy M. Davis // Essay by Christian Viveros-Fauné
EXHIBITION BROCHURE
STUDY GUIDE
Download a PDF study guide for Still Here.
SOUNDCLOUD AUDIO
VIRTUAL TOUR
Explore this virtual 360 degree interactive walkthrough of the Still Here: The Griffith J. Davis Photographs and Archives in Context exhibition. For the best experience click the View Fullscreen icon in the lower right of the window. Virtual tour Courtesy of USF 3D Access Lab, Dr. Laura Harrison, and Elliot Alvarez.
OPENING CONVERSATION VIDEO
Opening celebration for Still Here: The Griffith J. Davis Photographs and Archives in Context with exhibition curators Dorothy M. Davis, President of Griffith J. Davis Photographs and Archives; Christian Viveros-Fauné, CAM Curator at Large; and Noel Smith, CAM Deputy Director and Curator of Latin American and Caribbean Art. January 22, 2021.
CURATORS TOUR VIDEO
USFCAM Curators Christian Viveros-Fauné and Noel Smith gave a guided tour of Still Here: The Griffith J. Davis Photographs and Archives in Context. February 16, 2021.
EXHIBITION WALKTHROUGH VIDEO
Video walkthrough of Still Here: The Griffith J. Davis Photographs and Archives in Context.
INSTALLATION VIEWS
Installation view of Still Here: The Griffith J. Davis Photographs and Archives in Context at USF Contemporary Art Museum. Photo: Will Lytch
Installation view of Still Here: The Griffith J. Davis Photographs and Archives in Context at USF Contemporary Art Museum. Photo: Will Lytch
Installation view of Still Here: The Griffith J. Davis Photographs and Archives in Context at USF Contemporary Art Museum. Photo: Will Lytch
Left to right: Hank Willis Thomas, Golly, Mis’ Maria, Folks Jus’ Can’t Help Havin’ a friendly feeling’ for Dis Heah!, 2015. Digital chromogenic print. Museum purchase with funds provided by William and Jane Knapp, 2016, SN11548.1; Hank Willis Thomas, The Breakfast Belle, 1915/2015, 2015. Digital chromogenic print. Museum purchase with funds provided by William and Jane Knapp, 2016, SN11548.1; Hank Willis Thomas, Behind every great man…, 1973/2015, 2015. Digital chromogenic print. Museum purchase with funds provided by William and Jane Knapp, 2016, SN11548.10. Collection of The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the State Art Museum of Florida, Florida State University, Sarasota, Florida. Installation view of Still Here: The Griffith J. Davis Photographs and Archives in Context at USF Contemporary Art Museum. Photo: Will Lytch
Left to right: Zanele Muholi, Kodwa II, Amsterdam, from the series Somnyama Nyonyama (Hail the Dark Lioness), 2017. Gelatin silver print. Museum purchase, 2017, SN11594.2; Zanele Muholi, Misiwe IV, Bijlmer, Amsterdam, from the series Somnyama Nyonyama (Hail the Dark Lioness), 2017. Gelatin silver print. Museum purchase, 2017, SN11594.1, Dedicated to Nancy Parrish by the Ringling Foundation Board in recognition of herdistinguished service as Chair 2018-2020. Collection of The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the State Art Museum of Florida, Florida State University, Sarasota, Florida. Installation view of Still Here: The Griffith J. Davis Photographs and Archives in Context at USF Contemporary Art Museum. Photo: Will Lytch
Left to right: Hank Willis Thomas, The Men Cheered!, 1945/2015, 2015. Digital chromogenic print. Museum purchase with funds provided by William and Jane Knapp, 2016, SN11548.7, Collection of The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the State Art Museum of Florida, Florida State University, Sarasota, Florida; Coketails for Dorothy: Monrovia Children’s Birthday Party, 1956. Produced by Griff Davis, Courtesy of Griffith J. Davis Photographs and Archives; Pepperbird Land – 1952 Liberia (The Country, People, Industry, Leaders), 1952. Produced by Griff Davis, Courtesy of Griffith J. Davis Photographs and Archives. Installation view of Still Here: The Griffith J. Davis Photographs and Archives in Context at USF Contemporary Art Museum. Photo: Will Lytch
Installation view of Still Here: The Griffith J. Davis Photographs and Archives in Context at USF Contemporary Art Museum. Photo: Will Lytch
Installation view of Still Here: The Griffith J. Davis Photographs and Archives in Context at USF Contemporary Art Museum. Photo: Will Lytch
Installation view of Still Here: The Griffith J. Davis Photographs and Archives in Context at USF Contemporary Art Museum. Photo: Will Lytch
Still Here is supported by a USF Understanding and Addressing Blackness and Anti-Black Racism in Our Local, National, and International Communities Research Grant; Susana and Yann Weymouth; Mort and Sara Richter; Major Sponsor The Stanton Storer Embrace the Arts Foundation; and the Florida Department of State.
