'The Blacker the Berry'
Minneapolis-based photographer Bobby Rogers captures black models in noble poses against bright backgrounds, decorating them in gold and other regalia. His first solo exhibition nods to both a 1920s novel published during the Harlem Renaissance, and a 2015 song by Kendrick Lamar. His portrayals of black people as royalty is reminiscent of the work of Kehinde Wiley, who was selected to paint Barack Obama's official portrait. Rogers includes 10 portraits in this show, including one of Somali performance artist Ifrah Mansour, who currently has work up at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. "I'm trying to help people rid themselves of interracial prejudices and see themselves as magnificent beings," he told the Star Tribune. Read more about Rogers' show at startribune.com/art. (Noon-6 p.m. Tue.-Thu., 6-11 p.m. Fri., noon-5 p.m. Sat. Ends Nov. 25 with artist conversation at 7 p.m. Nov. 10. Public Functionary, 1400 12th Av. NE., Mpls. public functionary.org.)
ALICIA ELER
