Time is Now is a survey of the legendary artist Charles McGee, a towering figure in Detroit’s art scene, whose visionary work has left an indelible mark on the fabric of contemporary art. Celebrated for his dynamic fusion of painting, drawing and monumental sculptures, McGee’s life was a testament to the power of art as universal, transcending time and space to speak across generations. Time is Now is a soliloquy reflecting the philosophies that define McGee’s understanding of humanity. Bringing together works from over 30 years of creating, this exhibition engages McGee’s mastery in blending semi-abstract forms with vivid figurative portrayals of Black communities, aiming to craft a visual language that advocates for “the equality of all living beings,” as noted by scholar Julia R. Myers. McGee’s influence ripples through the ages, creating an account of Black creativity and challenging viewers to confront the exclusion of Black artists from historical art narratives. Works presented offer signifiers of ancient African figures, images of crowds taken from archives of various Detroit newspapers, and an assortment of pieces where the artist conflates time and materiality.
Time is Now is the inaugural exhibition at the Shepherd and is organized by Library Street Collective (LSC) in Partnership with the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD). The exhibition is curated by Jova Lynne, Artistic Director at MOCAD, with support by Abel González Fernández, Associate Curator at MOCAD, and Tara Akitt, Senior Director at LSC.
