The Vanta Guild Presents: Family Business

Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts, Providence, RI

June 19th-July 12th, 2024

Curated by Melaine Ferdinand-King & Jonathan Pitts-Wiley

The Vanta Guild Presents: Family Business invites viewers into a delicate exploration of Afrodiasporic family dynamics through the lens of photography. Featuring a collective of twelve RI-based photographers, the exhibition delves into the intricate interplay between heritage, belonging, and the diverse meanings of being together and staying together. 

Through a series of sentimental photographs, “Family Business” illuminates the familiar, revealing the nuances of laughter, love, and everyday moments that resonate deeply within relationships. From spirited gatherings to quiet moments of reflection, each image serves as a page within an immersive and expansive family photo album. 

In commemoration of Juneteenth, this exhibition elevates the indelible contributions of Afrodiasporic families to the fabric of Western society. We call in community to experience this offering of jubilation and preservation.

Featured Artists: Momo Akoiwala, Kai Davis, Aiyah Josiah-Faeduwor, Rafael Medina, Kincaid McLaren, Shaun Morse, Marlisse Payamps, Kevin Saye Kehyei, Jonathan Pitts-Wiley, Sean Powell, Dee Speaks and Imani Ylsanita

About The Vanta Guild: Founded in 2020, The Vanta Guild (@thevantaguild) is Rhode Island’s first Afrodiasporic photography collective.