Artist
There is a fresh face at the helm at Temple University’s Tyler School of Art and Architecture, and he promises to bring a new perspective.
Last month, Matthew Jordan-Miller Kenyatta (Dr. Matt) joined Temple Contemporary as Director of Exhibitions and Public Programming.
“What really excited me about this role was the opportunity to show people a true hidden gem along North Broad,” Dr. Matt said.
Read MoreAfter screening around more than a dozen festivals and self-organized screenings with Seven Knots Production and XPedition Media's relentless efforts, I am so proud that KENYATTA: DO NOT WAIT YOUR TURN is now available for streaming both on Amazon Prime and Tubi!
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In an article by The Daily UW titled “The Art of Black Urbanism: Creating Space to Be Seen,” I was featured as part of a discussion on the concept of Black urbanism during an event hosted by the University of Washington’s Department of Urban Design & Planning in honor of Black History Month. The event explored the intersection of visibility, Blackness, and space, particularly how these themes are reflected in our work as photographers.
During the discussion, I shared my perspective on Black urbanism, stating, “What I hope to provide with Black urbanism is a counterweight that allows us to see that Blackness is beautiful and celebratory and poetic. Those principles are weaved into the art.” The event highlighted the importance of creating pro-Black spaces and acknowledged the contributions of Black urban planners, artists, and designers.
I also discussed my background, growing up in a family of creators, and how that influenced my journey into the arts. My pursuit of digital anthropology at the University of Southern California shaped my approach to photography, which I see as a blend of anthropology and documentary work. “That program taught me to think like an anthropologist and act like a documentarian. A lot of the projects in that exhibit have that documentary impulse. I started to tell stories from where I could,” I explained. This process led me to develop the concept of Black urbanism, which guides much of my work today.
The article also touched on the experiences of other participants, such as Rycheal, who shared her story as a Black queer woman and art director, and how photography serves as a medium for visibility and expression of Blackness.
