RISING ABOVE - The Kinsey African American Art & History Collection
VIEW EVENT DETAILSAsia Society Curators and Collectors Series
Evening Discussion
Drink Reception: 6:00pm
Discussion 7:00pm
Close 8:30pm
The Kinsey Collection is the largest private collection of African American cultural objects and artworks whose origins span over the last 400 years. Bernard and Shirley Kinsey started collecting over 35 years ago and today their collection inspires, motivates and educates viewers not only about African American history, but also on issues of race that is relevant to all. The Kinsey Collection, seen by millions of viewers, makes its international debut at the University of Hong Kong from Dec. 12, 2016 to Feb. 26, 2017. In this discussion, our collectors joined by their son and curator of the collection, Khalil Kinsey, will talk about how they began collecting, the different stories presented by the works, and why it has been so important to them to share their collection with viewers in and outside of America. This discussion will be moderated by Yeewan Koon, Associate Professor of Chinese art history at the University of Hong Kong.
Bernard and Shirley Kinsey strive to live their lives on two simple principles: “To whom much is given much is required” and “A life of no regrets.” Bernard and Shirley were both born and raised in Florida, West Palm Beach and St. Augustine respectively. The two met at Florida A&M University in 1963 after a civil rights protest during which Shirley was arrested. Bernard and Shirley married in 1967 and after graduating, moved to Los Angeles with only US$26 and a job. Both received advanced degrees, as well as the Distinguished Alumni Award, from Pepperdine University. Shirley taught school before joining Bernard at Xerox Corporation, where he ultimately served as a vice president until his retirement in 1991. Bernard is the co-founder of the Xerox Black Employees Association, an organization that was responsible for hiring thousands of Black, Latino, and female employees and is the subject of a Harvard Business School case study.
(Left to right) Khalil Kinsey, Shirley Kinsey, Bernard Kinsey |
Khalil Kinsey showed an affinity for the arts and culture from a very young age. Having been exposed to the world early on through travel with his parents, he developed a deep appreciation for the similarities that bond us as human beings, as well as the diversity that is to be learned from and celebrated. With growing awareness and pride for the work of his parents in spreading the often-untaught knowledge of African American achievement and contribution, Khalil began working alongside them in 2010 and is now Chief Operating Officer and curator for The Kinsey Collection, a national touring museum exhibit of rare African American art and history. Khalil Kinsey oversees almost every aspect of The Kinsey Collection exhibit and properties, including contracts, management, curatorial duties and conservation. With a passion for youth and youth culture, Khalil works with many organizations across the country, offering consultation in the areas of mentoring and communication. |
Yeewan Koon is Associate Professor of Chinese art history at the University of Hong Kong. Her book, A Defiant Brush: Su Renshan and the Politics of Painting in Guangdong shows how an artist responded to the violence of war with iconoclastic paintings that challenged traditional moral and social values of the elite class. She is also the recipient of numerous research awards and currently working on a book project, The Conceit of the Copy. (moderator)
Co-presented with:
The exhibition, Rising Above: The Kinsey African American Art and History Collection, will run from December 9, 2016 to February 26, 2017 at the University Museum and Art Gallery. The exhibition is co-organized by the Faculty of Arts and the University Museum and Art Gallery of the University of Hong Kong in collaboration with KBK Enterprises, Inc. and the Bernard and Shirley Kinsey Foundation for Arts & Education. Goldman Sachs is a Silver Sponsor and American Airlines is the exhibition's Official Airline. Supporting organizations include the Consulate General of the United States of America in Hong Kong and Macau, the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the Lan Kwai Fong Group and the Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong.