“He is a black man. He is often thought of as nothing, a cipher. But he has layers upon layers upon layers.” — Zadie Smith

Pullman Porters & Maids: Invisible Labor, Visible Legacies, curated by Juelle Daley, presents a new body of work by artist Shane-Jahi Jackson, developed through his research residency at the Newberry Library in Chicago and informed by the archives of the Pullman Company. Through an ensemble of figurative paintings, Jackson explores the lives and labor of the porters and maids whose work helped define the elegance of American luxury rail travel, even as they remained largely unseen, unheard, and unnamed. The exhibition also reflects on the enduring legacies of their labor in the families, communities, and histories they helped shape.

Join us for an opening reception on Friday, June 5th from 6PM to 9PM at the Block House Gallery, 11137 S. Langley Ave., Chicago.