Ibrahim Ahmed, "Only Dreamers Leave," 2016. Installation of thirty sails, 13.12 x 5.90 ft (400 x 180 cm), each sail. Courtesy of the artist.

Artist Ibrahim Ahmed.

Interdisciplinary artist Nyugen Smith was invited by Ibrahim Ahmed to perform as part of the exhibition opening celebration for "It Will Always Come Back to You" on July 23.

Musician, producer, and co-founder of Thread Imprint Ezrakh will perform in the Thinking Field as part of the exhibition opening celebration for "It Will Always Come Back to You" on July 23.

WRIR DJ Graybeard will perform a DJ set.

Exhibition Opening: It Will Always Come Back to You

Friday, Jul 23

6:00 PM–10:00 PM

RSVP

The ICA at VCU invites you back to the Markel Center to celebrate the opening of our new exhibition Ibrahim Ahmed: It Will Always Come Back to You. Our first in-person exhibition opening since February 2020, the indoor/outdoor event will feature DJ sets by Ezrakh and DJ Graybeard, a live performance by artist Nyugen Smith, and a conversation between artist Ibrahim Ahmed and director and curator Dominic Asmall Willsdon.

While this event is free and open to the public, we encourage you to RSVP.

SCHEDULE
PERFORMERS
FAQs

6 PM

Doors open with DJ Graybeard, refreshments and cash bar in Thinking Field

7:30 PM

Conversation with Ibrahim Ahmed and Dominic Asmall Willsdon in Forum

8 PM

DJ set by Ezrakh

Kingzz Water Ice truck in Thinking Field

8:30 PM

Performance with Nyugen Smith

10 PM

Event Ends

NYUGEN SMITH

Nyugen Smith has been invited by Ibrahim Ahmed to create a new performance in response to Ahmed’s work. Smith is a first-generation Caribbean-American interdisciplinary artist. Through performance, found object sculpture, mixed media drawing, painting, video, photo and writing, Nyugen deepens his knowledge of historical and present-day conditions of Black African descendants in the diaspora. Trauma, spiritual practices, language, violence, memory, architecture, landscape and climate change are primary concerns in his practice.

EZRAKH

Ezrakh is a musician, songwriter, producer, and co-founder of New Jersey-based record label Thread Imprint. He draws inspiration from the soulful and psychedelic sounds of his upbringing, mixing rock, R&B, electronic, and world music to create a style all his own. In 2020 he released his latest album Infinity: Sankopha & 87, featuring cover art direction by Ibrahim Ahmed.

DJ GRAYBEARD

Graybeard is a longtime DJ at WRIR 97.3 FM. He hosts “The Other Black Music”, airing every other Sunday 3-5pm, and co-hosts “The Motherland Influence” along with DJ Daudi, featuring African, Latin, and Caribbean music, every Sunday 5-7 PM. His radio shows are rebroadcast on stations around the US, Canada and New Zealand.

Do I need a ticket?

This event is free and open to the public! Tickets are not required for entry. We do encourage you to RSVP in advance so that we can anticipate event attendance.

Where can I park?

Complimentary parking is available in VCU’s QQ Lot located next to the ICA at 608 W Grace Street. Spaces are limited. Additional parking is available on Grace Street and Pine Street.

Will there be food and drinks?

Yes! Refreshments and cash bar provided by Garnish RVA.

What’s your mask policy?

Visitors and staff who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear masks while inside the ICA. If you have not received the COVID-19 vaccine, we ask that you wear a mask while inside to help protect others. If you forget to bring a mask, we can provide you with a free disposable mask to wear during your visit.

I can’t find the answer to my question. Now what?
Please call or email. We are happy to provide assistance and information.
ica@vcu.edu | 804.828.2823

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

Ibrahim Ahmed: It Will Always Come Back to You

Jul 23, 2021 – Nov 28, 2021

exhibition

ICA photographers will be documenting this event, and some images may be used in later promotional materials.

ABOUT THE EVENT

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