New Haven, CT – The NXTHVN gallery on Henry Street is hosting a new solo exhibition by internationally acclaimed artist Derek Fordjour. Titled “Highstep Fumble,” the show runs from September 23 through November 22 and brings the artist’s bold, mixed‑media work to the heart of the Dixwell community.
Exhibit Highlights
Fordjour’s centerpiece, the collage “Highstep Fumble” (2022), combines acrylic, charcoal, cardboard, oil pastel and foil on newspaper mounted on canvas. The piece depicts a sharply dressed Black man in a red suit, top hat and white gloves, surrounded by falling golden and silver trophies. Newspaper clippings in the background reference global headlines, including an upside‑down portrait of Elon Musk and a Financial Times story about travel‑related stocks rebounding after the Omicron variant receded.
Throughout the exhibition, three media formats appear: collage, video and sculpture. Each work portrays Black men engaged in sport—rowing, dancing, horseback riding and biking—underscoring the artist’s belief that both art and athletics demand mastery while remaining vulnerable to unforeseen setbacks.
Conversation with Titus Kaphar and Dr. Imani Perry
On Sunday, NXTHVN founder and artist Titus Kaphar sat down with Fordjour and interdisciplinary scholar Dr. Imani Perry for a public discussion. The event, sponsored by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, highlighted the artists’ shared commitment to Black history and the archival record.
Kaphar reminded attendees that “you can have an exhibition wherever you want,” emphasizing the importance of bringing world‑class art to local neighborhoods. Perry and Fordjour explored how the act of collaging—mixing disparate elements—mirrors the cultural remixing found in hip‑hop and in the artists’ own family narratives.
Community Impact and Legacy
Fordjour, a MacArthur Fellow, has created major works for institutions such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, the High Line and the MTA’s Arts & Design program. He also founded Contemporary Arts Memphis, a youth organization that provides arts education and mentorship.
During the conversation, both Fordjour and Kaphar stressed that success in the art world must be paired with opportunities for the next generation of Black creators. “We know the miracle of our existence in this particular moment,” Kaphar said. “We want to make this more possible for the people that are behind us.”
Fordjour expressed a long‑term vision for NXTHVN, stating, “I’m thinking about NXTHVN in 40 years, in 60 years. This institution will persist. I am convinced.” The artist’s decision to exhibit in Dixwell reflects a desire to nurture a lasting Black arts institution that serves the community for decades.
Visit the Exhibition
“Highstep Fumble” is open to the public at NXTHVN, 169 Henry St., New Haven. Admission is free, and the gallery welcomes families, students and anyone interested in contemporary art that engages with history, sport and cultural identity. For a full schedule of upcoming events, visit nxthvn.org.
Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.
