The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center announced Confederate Currency: The Color of Money and Confederate Memory: Symbols, Controversy & Legacy. Both exhibits will be in the Skirball Gallery and open to the public on Friday, April 6.
Confederate Currency: The Color of Money investigates the significance of slavery in the economy of the South. Artist John W. Jones researched and documented over 126 images of enslaved Africans that were depicted on the currency of the Confederate states. The exhibit displays images placed in a juxtaposition of framed confederate bank notes and acrylic paintings influenced by the currency etchings portraying slavery. The inspiration behind Jones’ work is his belief that, “in these paintings, history informs art, which in turn artfully reveals more history.”
Confederate Memory: Symbols, Controversy & Legacy examines historical memory and the lasting legacy of the Confederacy, addressing revisionist history and the national Confederate symbols debate.
“At the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center our mission requires us to not only reveal the stories of our collective past but to also participate and encourage dialogue that can be uncomfortable but necessary,” says Dion Brown, president and chief operating officer. “These exhibits, examining the history of the Confederacy, will challenge and inspire those who have been misinformed of its legacy and the impact it has had on our country.”
Admission for both exhibits is $5 per person with general admission. For more information about exhibits and programming at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, visit freedomcenter.org.