The Detroit Institute of Arts’ (DIA) Founders Junior Council (FJC) has selected Detroit artist Tylonn Sawyer’s “White on White: Stone Mountain” as the first work acquired for the museum’s permanent collection from their African-American Art Acquisition Fund established in 2020.
“White on White” is a 144” x 60” oil on canvas, set against the iconic Stone Mountain, Georgia monument to white Confederate heroes — a massive sculpture etched into the mountain’s granite surface. Sawyer deconstructs this homage to the Confederacy by juxtaposing images of Black men reclined about it, wearing white suits. They are depicted tossing and turning as they struggle to find physical comfort and some measure of peace, all while pressed against a massive rock that glorifies their oppression.
“The Detroit Institute of Arts is proud to add to its collection Tylonn Sawyer’s powerful painting, ‘White on White: Stone Mountain,’ completed in 2019,” said Valerie Mercer, curator and head of the DIA’s Center for African American Art. “It focuses on the recent demand for the removal of Confederate monuments from public spaces in America. Tylonn’s impressive imagery successfully evokes the anxiety of being Black in America. As a contemporary artist and activist, he often examines historical narratives and imagery to determine their role in what’s happening in America today. We look forward to sharing this art with our visitors, to demonstrate the depth of intellectual and creative engagement in the work of Detroit’s artists.”
Born and raised in Detroit, Sawyer’s work juxtaposes themes of identity — both individual and collective — with investigations of race and history in popular culture.
“It was one of my dreams to have a piece of art in the DIA, considering it’s one of the best collections in the country and it’s right here in my hometown, Detroit, Michigan,” said Sawyer. “It really feels like an honor to be chosen by a panel of people from my own city.”
The selection committee spent extensive time interviewing and reviewing a group of talented artists. The committee of eight FJC board members, included Nathaniel Wallace, Alex Decker, Dexter Mason, Annie Thomas, Ashley Leuliette Slatkin, Shavon Edwards, Jenise Williams and Matt Roling.
“This past year we have been planning and working with DIA curator Val Mercer on the selection of our first of five African-American art acquisitions, in support of Detroit artists,” said FJC Board Member Decker. “Tylonn was one of several artists considered and we are thrilled to bring his painting into the DIA’s permanent collection. It’s an honor to have been part of this exciting effort that impacts the DIA’s collection while supporting and strengthening relationships between local artists and the museum.”
In 2020, the FJC designated $250,000 for the purchase of African American art for the museum’s permanent collection. This marks a return to the group’s roots in the 1980’s when the committee helped the museum build its collection This effort, led by former Founders Junior Council President Nathaniel Wallace, and DIA Curator of African American Art Valerie Mercer, culminated in this selection of the first acquired work.
“Historically, Detroit has always been a global pipeline for Black artistic talent and progressive voices,” said Wallace. “Creating a fund that will live within the DIA’s permanent collection, exposing generations of museum-goers to the richness and brilliant work of our Black Detroit artists, was paramount to the board and important for the culture.”
The FJC is a group of young professionals dedicated to introducing young adults to the Detroit Institute of Arts and encouraging lifelong involvement through a variety of fundraisers and social events organized around the museum’s world-class collection and special exhibitions. All funds raised go to support the DIA.
The FJC will begin the search for the second artist and work to collect in 2022.
To stay up to date with Founders Junior Council news, please visit the FJC on Facebook and Instagram, or visit: https://www.dia.org/support/auxiliary-groups/founders-junior-council.
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