AKEEM SMITH: NO GYAL CAN TEST

GALLERY: RED BULL ARTS

The show "Akeem Smith: No Gyal Can Test"  reflects  a deep exploration of artists identity, memory, and cultural heritage. Through his archival collection of photographs and VHS tapes, Smith bridges his dual experiences of life in both New York City and Jamaica. The blend of these historical materials with immersive video installations and large-scale sculptures rooted in his childhood neighborhood of Waterhouse offers an engaging, multi-sensory way of reflecting on his past.

By juxtaposing historical artifacts with objects from the present, Smith’s work creates a living dialogue between the past and present, transforming his archive into more than just a historical record. Instead, it becomes an active and evolving exploration of a community shaped by celebration, identity, and the vibrancy of dancehall culture. It’s an impressive artistic effort that speaks to how personal memories and cultural expressions are both preserved and transformed over time.