Ajamu X, a fine art photographer, activist, and scholar, has spent decades advocating for Black LGBTQ+ lives. Using nineteenth-century darkroom techniques, such as the palladium print, his work explores sensuality, gender, sexuality, and queerness. Through this process, he challenges the absence and reductive representation of Black, Brown, and queer bodies in the history of photography.

FIERCE: Pittsburgh honors the city’s Black queer culture as part of a growing global archive that also includes work created in Bristol, UK, and Toronto, Canada. The individuals celebrated in this exhibition are shaping Pittsburgh’s story through their contributions to the creative arts and education, civic and political life, and health activism. At a time when Black, queer, and trans experiences are too often erased, Ajamu X’s portraits and the voices of each sitter offer visibility, inspiration, and kinship within local and global communities.

Celebrate the launch of FIERCE: Pittsburgh at the opening night on March 5th!

Doors open at 6pm before welcome remarks and an introduction to the exhibition by Ajamu X at 6.30pm.

The evening celebrations will continue with music by DJ Formosa, a celebration of all the sitters included in the project led by MC Marques Redd, live performances by Ricky Davii and Mo Marshall, and open participation drawing from Ball culture traditions.

Join us for this unforgettable evening!

Schedule
6pm | Doors open
6.30pm | Artist and exhibition introductions
7pm | Procession, Performances, and Open Participation

Dress Code
Guests are encouraged to wear all black.

Refreshments
Enjoy a FIERCE: Pittsburgh cocktail or mocktail mixed by Hannah Turpin of SHAG to celebrate the exhibition, alongside refreshments and light snacks.

Image credit: Ajamu X, A Sensual Chorus of Gestures IX, 2024