New Additions by the Studio Museum in Harlem

This episode features artist Derek Fordjour in conversation about his work "Fly Away" (2020). Derek Fordjour’s paintings, sculptures, and installations render the fraught complexities of the Black American experience.

Born to Ghanaian immigrant parents in Memphis, Fordjour’s creative aptitude was present from a young age, though his path to artistry took a circuitous route. After briefly attending Pratt Institute, Fordjour took a break from his art education before attending and graduating from Morehouse College, Harvard University, and Hunter College. Fordjour’s artwork is layered with textures and intricate details. His themes include the tension between invisibility and hypervisibility, the expectations and spectacle of Black athletes, and the under-told narratives of Black performers and magicians.

https://www.studiomuseum.org/artists/derek-fordjour

What is New Additions by the Studio Museum in Harlem?

Introducing the Studio Museum in Harlem’s first podcast: New Additions. This series features intimate conversations with artists whose work has been recently added to the Studio Museum’s permanent collection. Hosted by Studio Museum Senior Curatorial Assistant Habiba Hopson, New Additions brings in artists at a pivotal moment in their career to discuss their path to artmaking, their process in the studio, their dreams and inspirations, and how they start each day. Each episode reveals how the artist's work and practice shapes their world and in doing so, shapes ours.

Listen in as they dive into a diverse array of subject matter confronting their lives as artists.