Artist Jeremy Okai Davis has launched a solo exhibition titled “Presence of Color” at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture. The show, curated by Dr. Tamara Brothers, features large-scale paintings that utilize a pixelated, neo-impressionist style to depict Black figures and historical icons like Angela Davis. The works specifically address the history of "Shirley Cards"—color-calibration tools used by Kodak that were based on white skin tones, effectively marginalizing Black subjects in film photography for decades.
This exhibition is significant for its exploration of systemic racism within the technical history of photography and visual media. By reclaiming the "Shirley Card" narrative, Davis transforms a history of exclusion into a celebration of Black life and presence. The show’s success, evidenced by a high-attendance opening and deep engagement with its educational wall labels, highlights a growing public interest in art that intersects with social history and the deconstruction of structural biases.