The Gallery of Revolution (TGo{R}) presents
The Art of Vision:
Capturing Social Movements Toward a New Humanity
featuring the art of
Leni Sinclair
Opening Reception: Saturday, July 13, 2024 from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Enjoy Live Music by DAVE MCMURRAY TRIO,
catering by ITFOODDETROIT and Networking Plus (2-3pm),
and Conversation with Leni Sinclair and Dave McMurray (3-4pm)
Free and Open to the Public
In Gallery: July 13 – September 30
Gallery Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays – 10 am - 2 pm or by appointment
This exciting exhibition demonstrates the deep spiritual sensibilities of Leni Sinclair, a revolutionary artist, whose presence at some of the most important events and in the presence of some of the most significant shakers and movers of social progression in the arts and political culture of Detroit and America. Her presence is ubiquitous. Her ability to capture the essence of her subject’s soul is amazing. She focuses her lens and frames the moment to stand the test of time to provide the viewer with a gift.
Cultural giants abound in her work: Fela Kuti, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Sun Ra, Aretha Franklin, Bob Marley, Jimi Henrik, General Baker, Jr., Kenneth Cockrel, Sr., John Sinclair, Huey Newton, Gil Scott Heron, among others.
This exhibition will cause the viewers a spiritual transport into a world of creative humanity, innovation, and social change. The walls of The Gallery of Revolution (TGoR) will come alive through the classic black and white photography of the legendary Leni Sinclair.
Brief Biography
Magdalene "Leni" Sinclair, a Kresge Eminent Artist, photographer and revolutionary political activist, was born March 8, 1940 Königsberg, Germany, later renamed Kaliningrad when it became territory of the Soviet Union. She grew up in the village of Vahldorf near Magdeburg in East Germany where she listened to and was influenced by black American jazz artists such as Harry Belafonte, Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald on Radio Luxemburg.
Leni emigrated to the United States in 1959 and moved to Detroit where she photographed politically conscious jazz and rock jazz musicians and the social movement. She was the co-founder of the White Panther Party (WPP) along with the late revolutionary and legendary poet-activist John Sinclair and Pun Plamondon. Leni played an important leadership role as Minister of Education of the WPP. She lives in Detroit.