The Ogunquit Museum of American Art is presenting "Looking for America," an exhibition featuring the work of Black conceptual artist Hank Willis Thomas and his collaborators. The show, on view through July 19, uses innovative materials like UV-printed retroreflective vinyl to reveal hidden imagery, such as a civil rights demonstration beneath a decorative pattern, encouraging viewers to look beyond surface appearances.
The exhibition matters because it offers a calm, fact-based repudiation of the divisive vision of America promoted by the Trump administration, coinciding with the nation's 250th anniversary. By presenting unadorned truths and collaborative works from diverse artists, Thomas's studio itself becomes a metaphor for a more inclusive America, making this show a powerful and timely artistic statement.