THE BASEMENT
About:
The Basement is a show born from my interest in the mythos and histories of the Black diaspora broadly and specifically my family’s experience in Minneapolis. The basement at my Grandparents house was the confluence of all these narratives that have shaped me and countless generations both before and after. Growing up that was a portal to other worlds where me and my siblings would play with our cousins among treasures that seemed like they were from prehistory. From ancient comic books to movies from a bi-gone era, the tragedies and victories shaped an ethos within me that was carefully curated through generations of taste makers. This project began with an exploration that may never end. A journey into the realm of remembered and imagined so intimately tied to my own creation this show serves as both a deeply personal explanation as well as an offering for the sacrifices and sins of the past that made this possible. As I write this on the block where George Floyd was murdered and on the avenue I was born on, I am reminded of the impact this land’s policies have directly had on the lives of its Black citizens. A reality that for 5 generations my family have had to navigate with all its many taboos that were often the difference between life and death. Cultural death can be pervasive and wipe out lifetimes of progress. I feel eternally grateful for the members of my family who have chosen to keep that light alive in order to pass it down the line. This show is not only my story to share but everyone who experienced the spectral nature of that space and others like it.
Image List:
1st room
‘Kanthaka’, 22”x22”, silver, wood & pot with rocks from my granny’s garden, 2026
“A Hard R’ 36”x24”, aerosol on wood, 2026
“Sabath Mask” 36”x36”, aerosol on wood, 2026
“Corner Stone” 23”x23”, neon, 2026
“Ogun” "32x42.5”, cast iron with enameling, 2026
“Gramps comic cover” 24”x36”, silkscreen on paper installation, 2026
“Divided together” 36”x24”, aerosol on wood, 2026
“The Opening” 21”x24”, aerosol on wood, 2026
“Granny’s garden quilt” 38”x51”, cyano type fabric with heirloom linen, 2026
“Loose”, 32x42.5, silkscreen and acrylic on canvas, 2026
“Spare the Rod”, 32”x42.5”, silk screen and acrylic on canvas, 2026
“Ogun scepter”, 1.5”x1.5”x9”, cast iron, 2026
“New Fort” 6.5”x5.5”x1.5”, clay 2026
“Black Bird” 24”x12”, aerosol on wood, 2026
2nd Room
“Astro Guardians character select screen” ,animation, 10 sec 2026
“Family interviews about the basement”, installation, 2026
3rd Room
“Projection installation with various videos”
“Blue portal”, 23”x23”, neon, 2026
*for pricing contact the artist at criceinternational@gmail.com
Gratitude to the Collaborators:
John Ault
Laura Juul
Ace
Rich Lee
PLOT
Jordan
Kayle
CAFAC
Heather
Daniel
Corey
Ann
Kim
Sabrina
Ruby
Brandan
Eric
Special Thanks to:
The Creator
The Fam
The Squad
[CRICE] is a fiscal year 2025 recipient of a Creative Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.