An Artist, Histories, and Community: Coming Together Around Kerry James Marshall

Collaboration across institutions is central to Getty’s mission. Recently, we had the opportunity to work with Mark Godfrey, curator of Kerry James Marshall: The Histories (and AAAHI advisory council member) at the Royal Academy, who invited Getty to co-organize a symposium associated with the exhibition.

Working in partnership, we created a two-day public forum titled Kerry James Marshall: Conversations to examine the many influences behind Marshall’s work. The symposium was presented on November 13–14 at the Royal Academy and was co-organized along with Black Curatorial and the Royal Academy.

Kara Olidge, associate director of collections and discovery at the Getty Research Institute, summarized the event, stating, “partnerships are crucial for expanding the field of art history and, more broadly, the humanities and social sciences. Getty is uniquely positioned to advance this effort by working with a range of institutions. This symposium exemplifies our collaborations with curator Mark Godfrey, Black Curatorial, a small yet highly impactful organization, and the Royal Academy, one of Britain’s most historically significant institutions.”

Partnering on the symposium ensured that the gathering went beyond the traditional art-world audience, using the lens of Marshall’s work to open doors across geographies, generations, and communities. This approach reflects Getty’s longstanding commitment to public-facing initiatives, from community archives and festivals to educational programs and major exhibitions. The symposium emphasized that art is not only for galleries; it is for communities, for dialogue, and for shared memory.

According to LeRonn P. Brooks, curator of the African American Art History Initiative, Kerry James Marshall stands among the most important Black artists of our time. His work reveals the resilience and complexity of the Black diaspora and reminds us that history is never simply behind us. The symposium convened internationally recognized artists, scholars, art historians, and curators to explore Marshall’s thoughtful approach to artmaking. Sessions examined the history of painting, the impact of literature and film on his practice, the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade, and the histories of Black nationalism and activism. Together, these conversations offered new ways for audiences to engage with Marshall’s work and ideas.

For many attendees, the value of the symposium lay in the connections forged between curators, scholars, and community members. By centering the discussion on Marshall’s work, the organizers created a space where people from diverse backgrounds could actively participate in shaping the dialogue.

For Igor Simões, associate professor at the State University of Rio Grande do Sul and former Getty Scholar, the gathering was particularly meaningful. “What struck me most was the presence of a large group of outstanding Black voices dedicating themselves to the work of a Black artist within the Royal Academy,” he says. “Another point that moves me is the openness to real criticism—one that includes not only agreement, but distinct perspectives, all debated in depth. We are living at a time when art criticism seems to be fading, and when disagreement is increasingly silenced. This symposium made room for it.”

Kerry James Marshall: Conversations also succeeded in building community. Through honest dialogue and shared reflection, the symposium created a space to reckon with history, identity, and the role of art in shaping them both.

At a moment when many communities worldwide are confronting histories of exclusion and searching for paths toward understanding, the Black Curatorial, Getty, and Royal Academy partnership stands as an example of what cultural institutions can accomplish together. It reminds us that art is not solely about aesthetics or heritage—it can be a catalyst for connection, empathy, justice, and transformation.

Getty is committed to continuing this work, supporting collaborations that broaden access, deepen understanding, and bring communities together through the power of art.

Watch the conversations here.