Phoenix, Arizona – In the wake of George Floyd’s death, a powerful exhibit featuring hundreds of protest artifacts from Minneapolis has opened for the first time outside of Minnesota, giving viewers a chance to engage with the emotional art and mourn Floyd, along with other Black Americans killed by police. The exhibit, titled “Twin Flames: The George Floyd Uprising from Minneapolis to Phoenix,” showcases about 500 artifacts left at the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, where Floyd was killed.
The collection includes paintings, poems, and signs made by protesters and mourners, offering a raw and urgent portrayal of the aftermath of Floyd’s death. Visitors to the Arizona State University Art Museum have expressed the impact of experiencing the protest art in person, emphasizing the importance of recognizing this significant part of history.
The exhibit aims to create a space for understanding and civil discourse, as well as to stimulate collective action against police violence and systemic inequities in the United States. Organizers also see it as an opportunity to examine the history of museums in America and address the longstanding inequities faced by Black Americans and marginalized communities.
By drawing direct parallels between Minneapolis and Phoenix, the exhibit sheds light on the history of police violence in Arizona, including the fatal shooting of Dion Johnson by an Arizona state trooper on the same day as Floyd’s murder. The hope is that the exhibit will resonate beyond the United States, reminding people of the ongoing work needed to address such pressing issues.
Several visitors have been deeply moved by the exhibit, including family members of George Floyd who expressed their overwhelming feelings upon seeing the meticulous art created by people in honor of Floyd. This powerful display of love and passion through art serves as a poignant reminder that the work toward justice and equality is far from over.
The exhibit in Phoenix is part of a larger trend in museums across the country, with other institutions delving into themes of police violence, racial segregation, and systemic oppression. The goal of these exhibits is to spark ongoing conversations and potentially inspire action. This approach underscores the role of art in raising awareness and advocating for change, emphasizing the significance of such spaces in confronting hard truths and honoring the legacies of those lost to police violence.