A Tranquil Journey Through Art at High Line Nine
In the heart of New York City, a dynamic exhibition at High Line Nine Galleries recently unfolded in Gallery 5 named “Easy Like Sunday Morning” (December 5–20, 2023). Curated by Mashonda Tifrere and her organization ArtLeadHer’s initiative Art Genesis, it showcased a serene and thought-provoking journey through the tranquility, beauty, and mystery of nature.
Pieces from hand-selected artists—including Monica Ikegwu, Jerome Largarrigue, Murjoni Merriweather, Reisha Perlmutter, Ronnie Robinson, Sheherazade Thenard, Khari Turner, and Kevin “WAK” Williams—served as a stimulating sanctuary through the unknown, allowing viewers to take a moment and meditate during today’s complex reality. An attestation to the power of art and its potential, “Easy Like Sunday Morning” showcased an array of genres and mediums, further challenging traditional boundaries—something ArtLeadHer knows well as an organization founded to uplift marginalized and emerging creators. Here, the show further embodies Tifrere’s commitment to nurturing artistic talent and expanding audiences, prioritizing artists growth, vision, and diverse voices to foster an inclusive environment.
Sheherazade Thenard, courtesy of Mashonda Tifrere and Art Genesis.
“Easy Like Sunday Morning” Soothes the Soul
In “Easy Like Sunday Morning,” Tifrere’s thoughtful curation guided visitors through an orchestrated display of calmness, introspection, self-discovery, and simplicity—seen through pieces like No Burdens by Khari Turner, Portrait of a Young Fisherman by Jerome Lagarrigue, and Ring III by Monica Ikegwu, among others.
On February 10, Tifrere will be honored by the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) with its esteemed PAMM Fund for Black Art for her outstanding leadership in curation and activism. Ahead of the event, Tifrere shared with Whitewall a look into her recent exhibition, her latest acquisitions, and what she’s working on in 2024.
Courtesy of Mashonda Tifrere and Art Genesis.
WHITEWALL: “Easy Like Sunday Morning” is your third winter exhibit since you launched Art Genesis in 2021. How does it exemplify why you launched your organization?
MASHONDA TIFRERE: Art Genesis is an initiative for promoting work at the intersection of artistry and activism. I wanted to work with artists that have the ability to capture people in nature and intimate settings. The overarching concept for the show is simplicity—a sense of stillness amid uncertainty or chaos in these turbulent times.
WW: Each piece in the show represents a “visual sanctuary,” channeling the beauty and power of nature. Why was this topic important for you to illustrate with the show?
MT: I wanted to create a visual escape from reality. I aim to take the viewer on a journey toward self-care and be filled with a sense of grace.
Khari Turner, courtesy of Mashonda Tifrere and Art Genesis.
A Calm Respite at High Line Nine Galleries
WW: You mentioned the show being “a testament to the transformative power of art in aligning us with life’s potential wonders” How are you personally using art as a way to cope, self-preserve, sustain, or stay inspired during this complex time?
MT: Art has a way of breaking down our walls and helping us be vulnerable. It also lends perspective and gives us an opportunity to connect and embrace our differences. Art will always be the ultimate neutralizer.
WW: The show includes works of different mediums, from artists in different stages of their careers, which challenges boundaries and nurtures creative expression in an array of forms. What message do you hope the viewer took in?
MT: I want the viewer to walk away feeling a sense of relief, as if a weight has been lifted from their shoulders. Images of nature can remind us of our similarities and of the agency we have over our realities.
WW: Can you share the names of two female creators you’re excited by right now?
MT: Currently, I’m really excited about Danielle McKinney and Kat Olschbaur.
Courtesy of Mashonda Tifrere and Art Genesis.
Mashonda Tifrere’s Art Collection, Rooted in Purpose
WW: In addition to curating and organizing shows, you are a collector. What was your most recent acquisition?
MT: Two Gordon Parks pieces from Jack Shainman. I also recently acquired a sweet Mickalene Thomas print.
WW: In 2020, you sold an artwork in your collection in an auction with Christie’s—Keith Haring’s Medusa Head—and used some of the profits to purchase artworks from living, Black, emerging or mid-career artists, which has always been important for you to support. What were some of those works? Why those?
MT: I purchased pieces by Nate Lewis and Patrick Alston in 2021, along with a few others. I always pay attention to the evolution of an artist’s practice and the consistency of the work. I seek out artists who treat their practice not only as a passion but as a true career and legacy.
WW: What are you looking forward to in 2024?
MT: So many amazing things in 2024, including my curatorial practice—bring more emerging and mid-career female artists to Los Angeles and San Diego.
Ronnie Robinson, courtesy of Mashonda Tifrere and Art Genesis.
