Exploring the Giants Collection at The High Museum
I had the opportunity to visit The High Museum in Atlanta to experience the Giants collection, curated by the Dean Family. Walking through the exhibit was like stepping into a conversation about identity, creativity, and the power of artistic expression.
“We need to be our most giant selves: to think our most giant thoughts, express ourselves in the biggest way possible, and give ourselves permission to be GIANTS.”
Alicia Keys and Swizz BeatZ Portraits by Kehinde Wiley
Walking into the Giants collection, I was immediately confronted by these huge portraits of Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz. These photos do not do them justice. I’ve been a big fan of Kehinde Wiley for a while and these are amazing to see in person. I love seeing modern day black people given a visually historical treatment. The patterning for the backgrounds are just incredible.
Derrick Adams
Amy Sherald’s Blues Never Disappoint
I fell in love with Amy Sherald’s work after seeing her portrait of Michell Obama for the Obama Portraits Tour when it was at The High Musem in 2021. Her use of grayscale for skin tones is magical. It’s never flat - it feels rich, layered, and alive. Then I saw more of her work showcased at the Spelman Museum of Fine Art. That time it was 2 figures with surfboards on that signature blue background. That was June 2023. I also saw another one of her pieces at Crystal Bridges Museum in January 2024. Fast forward to my visit to the GIants collection at The HIgh, and I was thrilled to see two pieces that felts like they were in conversation. Each was a man on a dirtbike. Their energy and movement against that blue backdrop was so striking!
The collection as a whole celebrates the vibrant, multifaceted nature of identity, heritage, and expression. It was a reminder of how important it is to uplift stories that might otherwise go untold and to honor the communities and cultures that shape us.
More Museum Reflections
If you enjoyed reading about my visit to the Giants collection, you might also like these posts from my other museum adventures:
Minneapolis Institute of Art Video Recap
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art Video Recap
Each visit deepened my appreciation for how art connects us. Let me know which exhibit or museum you’ve visited recently—I’d love to hear about your experience!