In the 1960s and 1970s, martial arts schools spread rapidly throughout African-American communities, while martial arts movies became increasingly popular among Black audiences.
Black martial artists saw martial arts as a way to keep youth off the streets, and Black activists drew on the philosophies of martial arts for empowerment and creativity. During that era, a number of Black martial artists emerged as formidable competitors on the national stage, yet most of them have been forgotten or overlooked as important figures in African-American history.
The two-day multimedia exhibit of GRANDMASTERS illuminates the grand impact that martial arts had, and continues to have, on Black communities and culture since the 1960s. The exhibit will feature vintage movie posters, archival photography, original artwork, video installations, and film screenings.
Wednesday, June 15
5pm - art exhibition
6:30pm - film screening: "Grandmaster: The Vic Moore Story " (work-in-progress)
Former karate champion Vic Moore struggles through declining health to preserve the martial arts that have defined his life.
Live Q&A with director Christopher Everett and moderator/martial arts champion Andrew Gajadhar
preceded by live music by DJ Preach Jacobs
Thursday, June 16
5pm - art exhibition
6:30pm - film screening: "The Black Dragon’s Revenge"
Black martial arts legend Ron van Clief stars in this action thriller about rival gangs in search of a lost "finger fighting" manual written by Bruce Lee.
GRANDMASTERS is presented by The Luminal Theater, 701 Center for Contemporary Art, Speller Street Films, and Black Kung Fu Cinema.