PHOENIX, Arizona – After George Floyd’s death in May 2020, people from around the world traveled to the site of his murder in Minneapolis to leave signs, paintings, and poems in his memory. Many of these artifacts are now on display for the first time outside of Minnesota, giving viewers the opportunity to engage with protest art and mourn Floyd, as well as other Black Americans killed by police.
The exhibit named “Twin Flames: The George Floyd Uprising from Minneapolis to Phoenix” features around 500 artifacts from the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, where Floyd was killed. The exhibit opened this month at the Arizona State University Art Museum and has drawn emotional responses from viewers.
Leah Hall, a Phoenix resident, expressed the importance of the exhibit in educating her children about this crucial part of history that may not be taught in school. The emotionally raw protest art, including paintings, poems, and signs, has left a powerful impression on visitors, evoking a sense of urgency and emotion. The heavy themes on display are contrasted by arrangements of fake flowers and battery-powered candles, evoking the vigil held in Minneapolis after his death.
The exhibit not only serves as a memorial to Floyd and other Black Americans killed by police, but also aims to create a space for understanding and civil discourse. It is seen as an opportunity to examine the history of museums in America overlooking the inequities faced by Black Americans and other marginalized communities.
The exhibit also draws direct parallels between Minneapolis and Phoenix, linking the fatal shooting of Dion Johnson by an Arizona state trooper to the events surrounding George Floyd’s murder. Organizers hope to bring the exhibit to other cities after its display in Phoenix, aiming to stimulate collective action against police violence and systemic inequities in the U.S.
The exhibit also sheds light on the work of other museums around the country that have delved into themes of racial injustice. The organizers of “Twin Flames” stressed the importance of confronting hard truths, emphasizing the ongoing need for societal change and awareness of racial injustice.
Overall, the exhibit serves as a powerful testament to the ongoing fight against racial injustice and systemic inequities, drawing attention to the voices and emotions of those who have been deeply impacted by these societal issues.