‘An Inherent Undoing’ highlights work needed for removal of structural violence while embracing Black artistry
An Inherent Undoing,” an exhibition presented by the Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation and curated by Dr. Gervais Marsh. The post ‘An Inherent Undoing’ highlights work needed for removal of structural violence while embracing Black artistry appeared first on New York Amsterdam News.
Black News 
“An Inherent Undoing,” an exhibition presented by the Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation and curated by Dr. Gervais Marsh, unites artists kimi malka hanauer, NIC Kay, Kearra Amaya Gopee, New Red Order, Zaina Zarour & Faris Shomali, Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley, Regina José Galindo, and Josephine Sales.
Located at the 8th Floor gallery, “An Inherent Undoing” incorporates writings, archival materials, videos, and photography to enhance and demonstrate the artists’ perspectives on the complications of societal fractures and structural violence. Hailing from Kingston, Jamaica, writer and scholar Marsh describes the exhibit as “a continuous reckoning with structures and histories of harm, holding the acute awareness that repair is a fraught concept.” As a Black Caribbean curator, Marsh doesn’t feel the burden of contributing to “humanizing Black art.”
“I found that whenever my thinking is in opposition to whiteness and is in opposition to some kind of anti-Black notation, I realize it’s a trap,” said Marsh. He considers that kind of view as a trap because focusing on the opposition becomes about proving understandings of Black people, which can distract from Black artists’ work. “I’m interested in the work that [the Black artists] are doing on their own terms, within their own conceptual ideas on how they approach their practice.”
“An Inherent Undoing” exhibition presented by The Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation at The 8th Floor gallery. (Brenika Banks photos) 
“The Coming Insurrection” piece at “An Inherent Undoing” exhibition curated by Dr. Gervais Marsh at The 8th Floor gallery. 
“Letters from Prison” piece at “An Inherent Undoing” exhibition curated by Dr. Gervais Marsh at The 8th Floor gallery. 
“An Inherent Undoing” curator Dr. Gervais Marsh with a few of the exhibition’s artists including kimi malka hanauer, NIC Kay and Kearra Amaya Gopee. 
“An Inherent Undoing” curator Dr. Gervais Marsh post his Amsterdam News interview.
Works in “An Inherent Undoing” feature two areas for videography, as well as many literature excerpts consisting of “Letters from Prison” and “The Coming Insurrection” pieces. Many supportive attendees were present on opening day in March 2026, where they interacted with the works and the visuals. Marsh wishes for Black and Caribbean artists to make it their business to be visible in any art space. In addition, he hopes Black and Caribbean artists do the work and practice their craft fearlessly, even in communities away from European-rooted galleries and museums.
“We need to be supporting Black art spaces and Black arts and cultural workers,” said Marsh. He anticipates continuing to showcase and teach art in places like the Bronx, Brooklyn, Harlem, and other areas with predominantly Black and Brown people. “Many art spaces and traditional institutions are not looking in those areas.”
Marsh was selected by the Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation, which supports and facilitates partnerships between cultural organizations and advocates of social justice. The 8th Floor gallery serves as a well-fitting home for Marsh’s exhibition because of their interest in cultural exchange and exploring art as an essential tool for social change. Both the Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation and the 8th Floor gallery complement the term “Inherent Undoing.”
Marsh explained the term in this manner: “If the foundation of society structures, as related to anti-Black violence, transphobia, colonialism, imperialism and ongoing genocide, is embedded in these forms of violence, the structure must be completely undone.” This emphasizes the resolution aspect of the exhibition, as well as envisioning a world where societal fractures and structural violence are extinct. Marsh fundamentally keeps these types of thoughts and conversations relevant, using his exhibition as a vessel for more people to think about societal structural resolutions.
“The exhibition is for young folks to come, it’s for older folks — it’s for whoever wants to engage with the work,” Marsh said.
“An Inherent Undoing” will remain available to the public through June 2026.
The post ‘An Inherent Undoing’ highlights work needed for removal of structural violence while embracing Black artistry appeared first on New York Amsterdam News.
