Identity is a complicated thing. The word itself has a complex definition. The dictionary gives the word 10 entries. The first is: the condition of being oneself or itself, and not another: the third one is: condition or character as to who a person or what a thing is; the qualities, beliefs, etc., that distinguish or identify a person or thing. (We won’t list all 10!) Then, the origin is Latin, of course, coming from “ident(idem)”, which means, “repeatedly, again and again.” In today’s lexicon, we find everything from identity theft, to identity crisis, to DNA strands of identity. As the sourcing seems to direct, a person’s identity is the condition or character of the person then repeated again and again.

Now, let’s translate that to the exhibit at InterUrban Art House, titled, Identity. According to Wolfe Brack, artistic director at IUAH, this idea for an exhibition sort of wormed its way into the schedule and has, in the process, created its own identity. Wolfe felt that IUAH’s existing exhibition schedule was very strong, and it consisted of Her Art/Their Art, Art Heals, Queer Experience, and Tangled Roots. But he also felt a tug at his heart to not box people into one of the provided exhibit titles. Wolfe started putting together a new puzzle of a schedule, and combined three shows, Queer Experience, Identity, and Tangled Roots – into one, Identity. 

What exactly is the Identity show? It’s Wolfe’s desire to make something right. He doesn’t want to be inclusive at the expense of being exclusive. Everyone was welcomed to the call for artists to populate this show. Wolfe is trying to bring visual artistry full circle. “We’ve spent a lot of time creating safe spaces for groups of marginalized people to show their art. We will continue to do that! But, it is an exclusive way to put on an exhibition. I want to “de-silo” (Is that a word?) people and their art. If you are an artist, then answer the call for art.” 

Besides being an artist, what Wolfe is really looking for are people who have done some thinking about and processing of their own identity(ies). He wants to see that thinking and processing translated into art. He adds, “I am a queer Black man and artist. This took some real thought on my part. It has been tricky for me to navigate.” Maybe because it is such a broad subject with so many iterations, it has been wrangled into a show that could speak to everyone. It makes all of us process… what are our identities?  The question he asked the artists in the call was this, “What comes to mind when you think of your identity or identities? Do you think about them often, or hardly at all?”

With close to 60 artists, there is a lot to take in, and Wolfe warns, “Some of it may be difficult for some people.” For each show, IUAH gives a small scholarship for a Centerpiece for Social Justice. This encourages an artist to make a centerpiece for the show, something that really stands out. The Identity show will have three centerpieces – one for each of the original show titles – Queer Experience, Identity, and Tangled Roots. Attendees should be cognizant of their own lenses and processing capabilities. 

And, now some housekeeping. This article is intended to show the installation of a show, the process of it becoming something. It is a fascinating process to watch a show take shape in a gallery space, and it’s something quite different from the show itself. 

Included in the exhibition is a programming piece on July 11th, which is a performative storytelling night with up to six artists sharing their journeys in performative ways (reading, song, dance, etc.). A panel discussion, Expressions of Black Hair in Art, was held on June 27th. 

The opening night reception for the exhibition was held on June 21st. A second Identity reception and LGBTQ maker faire with No Divide KC will be held on July 19th. The event coincides with Downtown Overland Park’s Third Fridays. IUAH is a unique space and vibe with a real presence in the metro’s art renaissance. 

Featured in the June 29, 2024 PRIDE Issue of The Independent
By Anne Potter Russ