Artist and filmmaker Arthur Jafa is preparing for a major exhibition at New York's New Museum while revisiting the conversation around his 2020 music video for Kanye West, "Wash Us in the Blood."
Jafa's visual language in the project echoed the rapid, collage-driven style that defines much of his work, including the acclaimed Love Is the Message, The Message Is Death. The video blends found footage, performance energy, concert imagery, and recurring themes from his practice, from movement and music to moments of collective tension and release.
Asked about working with West, Jafa emphasized a broader artistic view. He described West as a respected creative force and said he is reluctant to dismiss Black artists solely because of their statements. His response adds another layer to an already closely watched collaboration.
The upcoming New Museum show, titled I Am Tony, is being framed as a wide-ranging survey, though the final selection is still evolving. Curator Massimiliano Gioni noted that Jafa continues to treat the exhibition as a living structure, with possible additions including a large-scale painting and a new video work.
Jafa's practice continues to move between cinema, installation, and cultural commentary, expanding how contemporary art can hold rhythm, memory, and public debate in the same frame. His next chapter suggests an exhibition model that remains open, adaptive, and future-facing.
