Denim Tears from the Pool of Black Genius

Tremaine Emory is the founder of Denim Tears, a self-described “African American sportswear” label that tells a story about the African Diaspora with each new collection, addressing our complicated national history and collective cultural heritage. This retrospective look at his practice showcases highlights from his endlessly inventive creative output and numerous collaborations. The exhibition incorporates Emory’s manifold influences, in the titular “Pool of Black Genius,” with works by Jacob Lawrence, Romare Bearden, Alma Thomas, Faith Ringgold, and others from the SCAD Museum of Art Permanent Collection, as well as an extensive display of contemporary works by his collaborators and other artists he is in dialogue with, including Arthur Jafa, Hank Willis Thomas, David Hammons, and more. Emory translates these various strands and important historical references into cultural touchstones, using fashion as a form of conceptual art. Reconfiguring hierarchies and provoking crucial conversations with inclusive gestures, Emory offers us all an opportunity for reflection, learning, and growth.