Today's Strange Fruit Mention of the Day comes from Miami, Florida where a new art exhibit “Strange Fruits: Homage to Purvis Young” debuted, featuring a collection of works by local and international artists paying homage to celebrated artist (and Miami native) Purvis Young. The artists were invited to contribute pieces that speak to the Black experience and/or in the spirit of Young's work.
The curator, Congolese artist Bayunga Kalieuka, chose the exhibit's title to reference Billie Holiday's rendition of "Strange Fruit," originally penned by Abel Meeropol. He says, "When I first heard the song, I knew exactly what it represented ... While there was a sadness to the song, there was also a call to arms ... bringing attention to what’s taking place and how these transgressions were harming the community.”
Young's work was inspired by Midwestern muralists; he painted in a similar style in his neighborhood of Overtown, Miami, "often depicting lynchings, funerals, Black people without homes, pregnant or in chains, and scenes of social unrest."
Read more about Young's work and the exhibit here: https://www.miamitimesonline.com/lifestyles/tribute-to-overtown-artist/…