Harlem Postcards Fall/Winter 2008–09

11.12.2008-03.15.2009

Coco Fusco

Born 1960, New York, NY

Lives and works in New York, NY

Hallway of Military Recruiting Station on 125th Street, 2008
Coco Fusco Born 1960, New York, NY Lives and works in New York, NY Hallway of Military Recruiting Station on 125th Street, 2008 

I am really excited to be part of Harlem Postcards. My first thought upon receiving the invite was that I wanted to go to the Army recruiting office on 125th Street. Since the invasion of Iraq, I’ve been focusing my art practice on military intelligence. One of the key issues in the public debate about the war is the politics of how the military recruits young adults in general and people of color in particular. The military plays a very significant role in Harlem and other communities of color around the country. It is the most racially integrated workforce America has, and it has provided professional training and social respectability to many members of minority groups. On the other hand, the military targets minority communities for recruitment with greater intensity during wartime, leading many to argue that soldiers of color are cannon fodder. I’m very interested in how the military sells itself to African Americans, Latinos, Asians, Native Americans and Arab Americans as the solution to their problems, both economic and social. The advertising is sophisticated propaganda, direct and visually bold. 

Barkley L. Hendricks (1945–2017)

Harlem’s High Heel Heaven/4 pair for $20, 2008
Barkley L. Hendricks (1945–2017) Harlem’s High Heel Heaven/4 pair for $20, 2008 

New York has always been a photographic mecca. Harlem in particular is loaded with inspiring images and subjects. My most recent visit this summer helped add to a series of studies I call “Fashion Statements.” Harlem’s High Heel Heaven/4 pair for $20 provides the stilettos for my still-life paintings, aptly dubbed “Stiletto Lifes.”

Lauren Kelley

Born 1972, Baltimore, MD

Lives and works in New York, NY

Church Picnic, 2008
Lauren Kelley Born 1972, Baltimore, MD Lives and works in New York, NY Church Picnic, 2008 

The exterior of Greater Refuge Temple reminds me of structures I know as a native of the Bible Belt. With a nod to romantics informed by great-grandparent tales of migration, I make a Southern projection onto Harlem’s lawn.

Joshua Phillippe

Born 1979, Indianapolis, IN

Lives and works in Harlem, NY

hrlm 1, 2008
Joshua Phillippe Born 1979, Indianapolis, IN Lives and works in Harlem, NY hrlm 1, 2008 

Waking from a dream, I looked out my bedroom window and was greeted by a sky in perfect order.

Harlem Postcards Fall/Winter 2008–09

11.12.2008-03.15.2009

Coco Fusco

Born 1960, New York, NY

Lives and works in New York, NY

Hallway of Military Recruiting Station on 125th Street, 2008
Coco Fusco Born 1960, New York, NY Lives and works in New York, NY Hallway of Military Recruiting Station on 125th Street, 2008 

I am really excited to be part of Harlem Postcards. My first thought upon receiving the invite was that I wanted to go to the Army recruiting office on 125th Street. Since the invasion of Iraq, I’ve been focusing my art practice on military intelligence. One of the key issues in the public debate about the war is the politics of how the military recruits young adults in general and people of color in particular. The military plays a very significant role in Harlem and other communities of color around the country. It is the most racially integrated workforce America has, and it has provided professional training and social respectability to many members of minority groups. On the other hand, the military targets minority communities for recruitment with greater intensity during wartime, leading many to argue that soldiers of color are cannon fodder. I’m very interested in how the military sells itself to African Americans, Latinos, Asians, Native Americans and Arab Americans as the solution to their problems, both economic and social. The advertising is sophisticated propaganda, direct and visually bold. 

Barkley L. Hendricks (1945–2017)

Harlem’s High Heel Heaven/4 pair for $20, 2008
Barkley L. Hendricks (1945–2017) Harlem’s High Heel Heaven/4 pair for $20, 2008 

New York has always been a photographic mecca. Harlem in particular is loaded with inspiring images and subjects. My most recent visit this summer helped add to a series of studies I call “Fashion Statements.” Harlem’s High Heel Heaven/4 pair for $20 provides the stilettos for my still-life paintings, aptly dubbed “Stiletto Lifes.”

Lauren Kelley

Born 1972, Baltimore, MD

Lives and works in New York, NY

Church Picnic, 2008
Lauren Kelley Born 1972, Baltimore, MD Lives and works in New York, NY Church Picnic, 2008 

The exterior of Greater Refuge Temple reminds me of structures I know as a native of the Bible Belt. With a nod to romantics informed by great-grandparent tales of migration, I make a Southern projection onto Harlem’s lawn.

Joshua Phillippe

Born 1979, Indianapolis, IN

Lives and works in Harlem, NY

hrlm 1, 2008
Joshua Phillippe Born 1979, Indianapolis, IN Lives and works in Harlem, NY hrlm 1, 2008 

Waking from a dream, I looked out my bedroom window and was greeted by a sky in perfect order.