On Saturday, January 25, at 4 pm, join Masud Olufani for a conversation with Stephen Satterfield, creator of the Netflix series High on the Hog, as they discuss some of the narrative elements of food culture as depicted in Olufani’s current exhibition, A Sorcery of Sustenance. This conversation will be moderated by Floyd Hall, Atlanta Contemporary Executive Director.
A Sorcery of Sustenance is a collection of recently completed sculptures that trace the cultural retentions of the African Diaspora through food. Inspired in part by the popular Netflix series High on the Hog, this diverse gathering of mixed media works examines food production within the Black community as an alchemy that satiates the body as well as the spirit. In this context, nourishment or sustenance, has a double meaning that refers both to the corporeal and the incorporeal–to this world and to “other” worlds.
Masud Olufani is an Atlanta based multidisciplinary artist born in Los Angeles, California and raised in multiple cities including New York, Miami, New Orleans, Dallas, and Atlanta. He is an assistant professor of art and visiting arts fellow at Morehouse College and he also teaches at the United States Federal Prison in Atlanta, Georgia. The artist has exhibited his work nationally and internationally. He is a featured artist in the 2024 Dakar Biennale in Senegal. The artist has completed residencies at The Vermont Studio Center; The Hambidge Center for Arts and Sciences; and Tallier Portobello Norte in Panama. He is a 2018 Southern Arts Prize State Fellow; and a recipient of a 2015-16’ MOCA GA Working Artist Project Grant. The artist enjoys traveling, exercise, reading and long meandering conversations.
As an actor, he had a recurring role on the BET series The Quad, and has appeared in numerous television shows including Greenleaf; Being Mary Jane, Devious Maids, Satisfaction, and Nashville. He is a featured actor in the film biopic All Eyez on Me. He was the co-host of the PBS news based investigative journalism show Retroreport, which premiered nationally in the fall of 2019. He is the co-host of the podcast series Undaunted, which centers the work of social justice changemakers. He is the lead actor in No Cowards in Our Band about the life of Frederick Douglass, set to premiere at Hudson Valley Opera in Hudson Valley, New York in the fall of 2024.
As a writer, Masud has published articles for Burnaway; Baha’i Teachings; and is a featured contributor for the Jacob Lawrence Struggle Series catalog, produced to coincide with a major exhibition of the Struggle Series paintings. His forthcoming memoir is presently in production.
Stephen Satterfield is an award-winning food writer, sommelier, producer, and media entrepreneur. He is the founder of Whetstone Media and the host of the Netflix docu-series High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America.
Join us for a family-friendly art workshop as part of the Contemporary Kids program, where kids of all ages can explore their creativity and engage with the themes of contemporary art!
During this workshop, artist Makiko Maekawa will guide young artists in creating their own contemporary art projects. Using a variety of materials like paint, paper, and objects, participants will explore how to express themselves through art.
Celebrate the closing of "Landmarks: Inside the World of R.Land "with a special evening featuring acclaimed Atlanta artist R. Land in conversation with Kim Drobes, Executive Producer and Co-Host of The City Lights Collective on WABE.
For nearly three decades, R. Land has captivated audiences with his unconventional, instantly recognizable style—an artistic voice once described as combining “the approach of Keith Haring, the enthusiasm of Disney, and the vision of Finster.” From large-format paintings and iconic street installations to his ubiquitous “Loss Cat” project, Land’s work defies categorization while shaping the cultural fabric of Atlanta and beyond.
Guiding the conversation is Kim Drobes, a seasoned broadcaster and storyteller who has spent her career championing creativity and human connection. Together, they’ll explore Land’s artistic journey, community-driven projects, and his lasting influence on Atlanta’s art and identity.
Following the talk, raise a glass at our closing reception bar as we toast the exhibition, the artist, and the city that inspires his work.
This event is free and open to the public.
SHAPESHIFTER
Atlanta Contemporary x CommuneATL
Tickets: $20
SHAPESHIFTER conjures notions of evolution, adaptation, and transformation—changing forms and shifting perspectives. This collaborative program with Commune explores the tension between hedonism vs. spirituality, the shifting “value” of musical forms—from spiritual jazz to punk, ambient to dance—and the constant striving toward something new.
Commune is a place for people to connect around music, food, drinks, and culture. Enjoy a thoughtful program of DJ sets, live performances, film & lectures in a room designed for sound. Pair that with cocktails and wine from small producers, and a rotating menu of cosy continental food, freshly baked bread, and desserts.
