Ludlow Bailey: Cultural Curator
Introduction to Ludlow Bailey. 4:01 min. Interview: 20 FIU students. Videography & Production: Dianne May Roson. Recorded: 3/2/2020, FIU, Miami.
LUDLOW E. BAILEY is a curator of “culture as art.” As an art broker, writer, and art advisor, he is extremely passionate about contemporary global African Diaspora art and culture.
Bailey is the founder and managing director of Contemporary African Diaspora Art (CADA). He created CADA as a multi-media platform designed to present and promote the visual art culture of the African Diaspora. Bailey has traveled extensively throughout the African Diaspora and is considered one of the leading experts on Contemporary African Diaspora Art. He works as an art advisor with some of the most important museums, galleries, and private collections in London, New York, Paris, Chicago, Cape Town, Washington, D.C, Lagos, Accra, and the Caribbean. Bailey regularly attends many of the world’s leading art fairs and museums. He has curated 55 visual art exhibitions in the last decade.
The videos below are organized by Success Factor and run between 30 seconds and 5 minutes. Click on any video. You must be connected to the internet to view the videos.
INSIGHT & INSPIRATION: 2:09 min.
Where did you grow up and what was your first awareness of art of any discipline?
VALUES FIRST-RATE EDUCATION: 1:49 min.
You attended three Ivy League schools and several other prestigious universities abroad. Why so many?
COLLABORATION: 2:50 min
The New World Symphony recently had a concert celebrating Afro-Caribbean classical music. Have you considered collaborating with them?
INSIGHT & INSPIRATION: 2:28 min
You once said that you became an “accidental curator” when you were the general manager at TWA in Miami. Can you please elaborate?
CREATES A UNIQUE PERSONAL BRAND: 1:03 min.
Your passion for art and culture has led you deep into the world of art, but you are also focusing on developing your Art Talk Theatre concept.
INSIGHT & INSPIRATION: 1:49 min.
What is your curatorial process?
EXPOSURE TO BROAD INFLUENCES: 1:29 min.
How does your spirituality shape your life and career?
COLLABORATION: 1:24 min.
Describe how you collaborate with artists when you are curating an exhibition.
CRITICAL THINKING: 1:46 min
You curated an exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami (MOCA) that included an extraordinary piece that was made with dirt that was millions of years old. Please comment.
INSIGHT & INSPIRATION: 2:08 min.
How did your spirituality evolve and how does it influence your work?
DEVELOP A VOICE: 2:51 min.
What advice do you have for people who want to become curators?
CRITICAL THINKING: 4:03 min.
You said, “African diaspora and African-American art has become a dominating presence in the art world.”
EXPOSURE TO BROAD INFLUENCES: 3:02 min.
In 1907, Picasso painted Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, which was clearly based on African art, and which changed the direction of the art world. But I remember Picasso playing down the influence.
UNDERSTANDS THE BUSINESS OF ART: 2:07 min.
On the CADA website you state that “…people of African descent are blossoming and rising up out of their slumber…into a new breed of contemporary artist.” When did you personally experience this awakening?
CRITICAL THINKING: 1:26 min.
Do you believe that there are misconceptions about African art and culture that need to be rectified?
UNDERSTANDING ARTISTS’ NEEDS: 1:58 min.
Does the ego of the artists that you work with ever get in the way when you curate exhibitions of their work?
INSIGHT & INSPIRATION: 1:12 min.
Tell us about your experience with the talented Manuel Mendive in your “Roots of the Spirit” exhibition?
CREATES A UNIQUE PERSONAL BRAND: 3:29 min.
How do you want your work to inspire others?
EXPOSURE TO BROAD INFLUENCES: 1:44 min.
You have curated 55 art exhibitions over the past decade. How do they relate to one another, if at all? What are some of your favorite exhibitions?
RESILIENCE: 2:05 min.
Do you ever feel intimidated when you are curating a new exhibition?
OVERCOMES CHALLENGES TO SUCCEED: 1:00 min.
What are some of the challenges for Black curators working with White institutions?
CRITICAL THINKING: 2:10 min.
Historically, Western art institutions and scholars have focused on Euro-centric artists and their work. Is that part of what drives your passion for the art you exhibit and collect?
UNDERSTANDS THE AUDIENCES’ PERSPECTIVE: 1:27 min.
CADA produces contemporary African art exhibitions, panel discussions, seminars, curricula, video, and film to reach and teach audiences. Which format has had the most significant impact, and how do you measure success?
