Gregory T Foster

A return to origin. In 1893, at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, a Black woman was made into a spectacle. Not honored—performed. Not seen—consumed. Today, I return a hand-painted, 100-lb sack of Aunt Jemima to the very ground where the image first entered the American imagination— the site now known as the Museum of Science & Industry. Bound with rope sourced from the 1800s, this object carries the weight of how Black bodies have been tied to labor, service, and survival— how our likenesses were marketed, softened, and sold back to us at the breakfast table. How our grandmothers raised us on care and endurance while a caricature of us sat quietly beside the syrup. The first woman to portray Aunt Jemima was never meant to be remembered—only used. The image endured. The person was made invisible. This work sits at the collision of memory and misrepresentation: of how Black women were made symbols of comfort for America while being denied comfort themselves. Of how corporations erase faces when they become inconvenient— how Black presence is welcomed until it disrupts profit, then quietly removed from the box. One hundred years of Black history is not a celebration without reckoning. It is a return. A refusal to let the archive be edited by those who benefited from the distortion. This sack is not nostalgia. It is evidence. It is the weight of being consumed, the silence of being erased, and the power of choosing to bring history back to the place it was first staged. Not to honor the image. But to confront the lie it told. . . . 🎥: @316mediahouse | @todayin Edits: Paris Williams & Gregory Foster.

What a difference a year can make!   When starting this journey, I wanted to highlight what inspired and shaped me into who I am today. Mr. John Johnson was a pioneer. Not only did he carry himself with class and grace, even through adversity, but he provided opportunities while setting the bar that few have yet to obtain today. Observing my pieces from a far, I watched from the background, as onlookers would try and guess who the people were in each piece; they would look up the date on their phones, like a history lesson, which became a game of “search and learning.” I didn’t want to put the faces on the pieces, because I wanted the spectator to imagine themselves within these strong images. Ebony/Jet highlighted black love, legendary status, and black excellence. With each piece, I aspired to evoke emotion, unlocking a core memory from the past. Possibly remembering seeing it on your grandmother’s dresser, the living room coffee table, salons as well as barbershops. I felt the best way to pay homage was to take it to the building that Mr. Johnson built. I’m very appreciative of every opportunity, purchase, and personal stories connected with this series. It was important for me to remind people about the culture and greatness of Chicago. As I’m building up towards my solo show of about 20 pieces, I’m reminded of the significance of what I’m doing, and I’m humbled by the opportunity to show my work. After this series, it will be no more, as history is usually contributed to a specific time frame. Every conversation, lunch paid for, piece of game given, motivation and encouragement, along with the people that has connected me along the way, have all been major factors on this mission.  Mr. Johnson was told that owning a building and empire on Michigan Ave. was impossible… Obviously nothing is! DIR BY: @j_rell Thank you @donparious for connecting me to get this filmed & @nomadz77 for the BTS footage. . . #art #artgallery #artcollectors #painter #explore #artdealer #historyart #iconic #painting #paintings #drone #dronevideo #droneart #dronecinematography #paintingoftheday #videooftheday #history #love #prosperity #excellence #viral

NEXT OPEN STUDIO ON THE 24th WITH FRIENDS! FOOD BY @mreggrollchi YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS IT! DM FOR ADDRESS #BRONZEVILLE 🏃🏽‍♂️💨

Dorothy Worldwide Enterprises🌐

⚖️ . 📸: @10photos

Repetition (“My Dorothy”) . . . #artcollection #dorothydandridge

Series loading, 32 pieces. 30min documentary.

COME CHECK OUT THE WORK, OPEN STUDIO MONDAY!

“Shoot for the moon & miss you bound to hit a couple stars” - Bump J.

A Bronzeville Tale. 📸 : @10photos

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