MoAD’s physical building may be closed due to the mandatory shelter-in-place, but you can still get your fill of art and artists of the African Diaspora. Each Wednesday at 1:00 pm PST, join MoAD staff members as we visit some of our favorite artists in their studios to see what they’re currently working on and how their work is changing as a result of the quarantine. This is a rare opportunity to hear from artists directly from their studios.

We will follow all talks with an audience Q&A.

‍This talk is co-presented with Claire Oliver Gallery

Born in New York City to Dominican parents, with Haitian heritage, Leonardo Benzant's practice includes painting, performance, sculpture, sound, and installation as he investigates deeply personal experiences of identity, ancestry, family, community and spirituality. Leonardo, at times, metaphorically refers to his practice as Urban Shamanism inspired by a character he created called Kamarioka: The Chameleon. Information is drawn from the uniquely shared history of code switching, double-consciousness and multiple narratives that people of African descent have inherited and are compelled to adopt as a survival strategy for daily life.

Like this common experience Benzant’s work straddles two worlds, embodying the dynamics of being both sacred and secular.

‍Register here to watch live

Generous support for this project provided by Art Bridges and the Westridge Foundation