Reception: Saturday, September 13, 1:00 - 3:00 PM

Exhibition Statement:

"Adorare" is an evocative exhibition that showcases a powerful collection of photographs created between 2018 and 2022. This body of work draws inspiration from a remarkable quote by Malcolm X — “My adoration of Mr. Muhammad grew, in the sense of the Latin root word adorare. It means much more than ‘adoration’ or ‘adore.’ It means my worship of him was so awesome that he was the first man whom I ever feared—not fear such as of a man with a gun, but the fear such as one has of the power of the sun.” The Autobiography of Malcolm X. As Told to Alex Haley. New York, Grove Press [1965].

Through his lens, Wairiri Erastus explores how personal experiences of adoration shape our understanding of greatness. Wairiri’s work not only pays homage to Malcolm X’s enduring legacy but also invites viewers to reflect on their own narratives within the framework of human experience. As you journey through this exhibition, witness the resonance of adoration in unexpected forms and its profound impact on our lives, society, and the fabric of our shared humanity.

Artist Bio:

I am a Kenyan-born and raised documentary photographer currently based in Lowell, MA. I began my photography work after relocating to America in 2014 as a means to always reconnect with my home. Analog photography is my preferred medium as it brings me a sense of nostalgia. Inspired by the works of Gordon Parks, Sebastiao Salgado, Osborne Macharia, and local legends, I aim to celebrate authentic stories of the people of Afrika. In my work, I hope to highlight the Afrikan identity and spearhead a heritage restoration movement in the diaspora. Though primarily a photographer, my work also ventures into graphic design, film, and painting.