The Portland Museum of Art (PMA) is presenting two concurrent exhibitions: "Ming Smith: Jazz Requiem — Notations in Blue" (through June 7) and "Precious: The Value of Ornament" (through July 19). The Ming Smith exhibition showcases the pioneering Black photographer's emotive, manipulated images, including jazz club scenes and portraits, drawn from the museum's collection and loans from The Gund at Kenyon College. The decorative arts exhibition highlights the value of ornament in applied arts.
These exhibitions are significant because they foreground photography and decorative arts—genres often underrepresented in major museum shows—while reflecting PMA's commitment to diversifying its displays and representing the breadth of its holdings. Smith's work, rooted in the Black Arts Movement and her innovative techniques, offers a fresh perspective on photographic expression, connecting historical practices with contemporary art conversations.