In its most ideal form, history functions as society’s collective memory. It is a record of where we have been, influences the present, and informs how we shape our future. Unfortunately, the most pervasive narratives are from the vantage point of the majority. These selective accounts of the past permeate popular culture, skewing our perceptions of self and how we relate to others.

Revisionist History: The Champions of Triumph uses iconography to re-cast Black Americans as victors instead of victims, as catalysts for change instead of hidden figures. Starting with the birth of our nation, we see Crispus Attucks portrayed as Captain America. A man who ran away from slavery and fought for the freedoms of all despite the fact that his people remained in chains. Given the historical significance of the Boston Massacre, coupled with our present reality where the contributions of so many Black veterans remain unknown, this visioning creates a mainstream recognition that is long overdue.

As the exhibition dances across the timeline of our existence, familiar imagery and faces taunt the mind as color and composition delight the eye. Fuel for the spirit, these revisions remind us to celebrate the identities, contributions, and experiences of all.