Shinique Smith's layered paintings and sculptures often incorporate cherished objects, clothing, and gestures that evoke the presence of the figure. Gesture I: Unraveling, part of "Shinique Smith: BRIGHT MATTER," is Smith's debut performance, a choreographed dance that builds upon these layered aspects of her work and dance sequences featured in her video Breath of Life. Running approximately 10 minutes, the dance explores how the body itself can translate degrees of density or momentum as expressed in Smith’s abstract paintings, sculptures and installations. With choreography developed in collaboration with performing dancer Marisa Arriaga and sound design by Gary Pennock, this first “gesture” is part of a series of free performances through which Smith explores the body as an extension of her creative process.

Sunday, September 7, 3:30 pm, Foster Gallery at the MFA: Gesture I: Unraveling

Wednesday, February 11, 6:30 pm, Foster Gallery at the MFA: Gesture II: Between two breaths

Spring/Summer 2015, Dewey Square Park on the Rose Kennedy Greenway: Gesture III

This event took place September 7, 2014, as part of the exhibition "Shinique Smith: BRIGHT MATTER," August 23, 2014–March 1, 2015.