Jeffrey Gibson
At the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at Washington State University, Jeffrey Gibson’s current solo exhibition, They Teach Love, stands as a vibrant departure from the conventional narratives entrenched in the Western art canon. Marking Gibson’s most expansive and versatile showcase to date, the exhibition transcends mere artistic display; it emerges as both a platform amplifying Indigenous voices and a kaleidoscopic exploration of the artist’s conceptual prowess.
Curated by Ryan Hardesty, the museum’s executive director and curator of exhibitions, They Teach Love radiates warmth and eloquently conveys the artist’s deep appreciation for communal practices, song, human connection, and kinship. Situated on the ceded lands of the Nimiipuu Tribe and the traditional homelands of the Palouse Band of Indians, the exhibition showcases graphic visuals that engage with Native American cultures as well as sexuality, resulting in a globalized vision of love free from borders.
Image: Jeffrey Gibson, installation view of They Teach Love at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at Washington State University, 2023. Photo by WSU Photo Services. Courtesy of the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art.