The Portland Art Museum is currently featuring an installation by artist Christopher Myers titled *Let the Mermaids Flirt With Me* (2022), which serves as the centerpiece of the exhibition *Global Icons, Local Spotlight*. The work consists of stained glass lightboxes arranged in an octagonal structure, depicting Black life and water symbolism, including images of a Black mermaid, fire hydrant scenes, and references to the water spirit Mami Wata. The installation incorporates objects like gas cans, oars, life jackets, and votive candles, transforming the space into a shrine-like environment.
This exhibition matters because it highlights the work of Black and Indigenous artists within a major regional museum, centering diasporic narratives and syncretic mythology that are often underrepresented in mainstream art institutions. Myers's piece connects African, African American, and Caribbean spiritual traditions through the figure of Mami Wata, demonstrating how art can bridge cultural histories and contemporary social realities. The show underscores the Portland Art Museum's commitment to diversifying its programming and elevating voices that challenge conventional art historical canons.