“RECOGNIZE! Hip Hop and Contemporary Portraiture”

February 8 through October 26, 2008

Since its inception in the 1970s, hip hop has been arguably the most influential and popular musical form in America. Its popularity extends beyond the urban centers of its inception and pervades youth culture throughout the world. Images of hip hop stars are as pervasive as the music itself, and the National Portrait Gallery is featuring the work of artists who have explored this phenomenon. David Scheinbaum has been photographing hip hop artists since 2000, Two Washington, D.C–based graffiti artists, Tim Conlon & Dave Hupp, created four portrait murals to be installed in a hallway that connects the galleries. Jefferson Pinder created three video self-portraits that will be included in the installation. Curators for the exhibition are Frank A. Goodyear III, assistant curator of photographs and Brandon B. Fortune curator of paintings; Jobyl A. Boone, a Smithsonian predoctoral fellow is the guest curator.

All exhibitions are held at the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture, located at Eighth and F streets N.W., Washington, D.C. For public information, call (202) 633-8300. The National Portrait Gallery is open every day (except December 25th) from 11:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

And more hip hop

-- there's an opening of photos of Jonathan Manion at Govinda this coming Friday, May 18 -- and there is going to be a hip hop DJ playing at the show.

Reception: Friday, May 18, 6-9PM

Govinda Gallery
1227 34th Street NW, Washington DC 20007 T. + 202.333.1180 F. + 202.625.0440
Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 11AM – 6PM