Phoenix, Arizona – The emotional aftermath of George Floyd’s murder in Minneapolis has transcended borders, inspiring protest art and memorials around the world. Now, hundreds of these artifacts are on display outside of Minnesota for the first time, giving viewers elsewhere the chance to engage with the emotionally raw protest art and mourn Floyd, as well as other Black Americans killed by police.
The exhibit, titled “Twin Flames: The George Floyd Uprising from Minneapolis to Phoenix,” features about 500 artifacts that protesters and mourners left at the intersection where Floyd was killed. The artwork includes paintings of Floyd, poems about him, handwritten signs, and other forms of expression, all conveying the urgency with which people felt the need to express their anger and grief after watching the chilling eyewitness video of his death.
The exhibit aims to create a space for understanding and civil discourse, potentially stimulating collective action against police violence and other systemic inequities in the U.S. It represents a significant opportunity to examine the history of museums in America overlooking the inequities faced by Black Americans and other marginalized communities.
Notably, the exhibit draws direct parallels between Minneapolis and Phoenix, where a Black man named Dion Johnson was fatally shot by an Arizona state trooper the same day that Floyd was murdered. The exhibit is not only a symbolic reflection of nationwide issues but also a platform for social and political work, aligning with the museum’s mission to center creativity in the service of social good.
The emotional impact of the exhibit is evident in the response of visitors, with many moved to tears and expressing the exhibit’s far-reaching relevance beyond the United States. This emotional resonance is also reflected in the words of Angela Harrelson, Floyd’s aunt, who described feeling “overwhelmed, but in a good way” upon visiting the museum, emphasizing the concentrated outpouring of love and passion conveyed through the art.
Beyond Phoenix, other museums have also delved into themes related to police violence and systemic oppression, reflecting a broader cultural shift in engaging with difficult but essential conversations. The museum’s commitment to ongoing, meaningful discussions about these critical issues aligns with a growing trend in the art world to use creative expression as a catalyst for social change.
This exhibit not only serves as a potent memorial to those lost to police violence but also as a powerful symbol of the enduring legacy of the movement against systemic racism sparked by George Floyd’s death. By bringing these artifacts to a wider audience, the exhibit continues to perpetuate the global conversation about racial injustice and the urgent need for collective action.