Movies

‘Girlfriends’ celebrates its 25-year anniversary with a free art exhibit in L.A.

BBG News

Exactly twenty-five years back, on September 11, 2000, the UPN network premiered a humorous series titled “Girlfriends.” This show focused on the lives of four African American women residing in Los Angeles.

The creator of the show, Mara Brock Akil, who had begun her career writing for shows like “South Central,” “Moesha,” and “The Jamie Foxx Show,” grew weary of inaccurate portrayals of Black women on screen. Her goal was to reflect Black women authentically by featuring them as complex characters, displaying their ambition, creativity, occasional messiness, and above all else, their depth and complexity.

Over a span of eight seasons, viewers were captivated by the close-knit group of friends – Joan (Tracee Ellis Ross), Toni (Jill Marie Jones), Lynn (Persia White) and Maya (Golden Brooks) – as they tackled various themes such as relationships, workplace sexism, beauty standards, class issues, sexuality, and more. This popular show, which first aired until its unexpected cancellation in 2008, is now recognized as one of the most impactful TV series on Black culture, having been added to Netflix’s library in 2020.

To celebrate 25 years of “Girlfriends”, DCDG & Co., a fine arts agency based in Los Angeles, is collaborating with the show’s cast and iHeartRadio’s “The Breakfast Club” team to independently organize an art exhibition that honors this trailblazing series. This exhibit delves into the show’s key themes such as sisterhood, ambition, and self-discovery through various mediums like photography, sculpture, paintings, installations, and more. The display will be open from Friday to Sunday at the Line Hotel in Koreatown.

In the “Girlfriends” crew and LaRosa’s choices, every artwork displayed at the exhibition exclusively featuring Black women artists was selected for the first time as curators. This unique event spanning three days will also include a talk by DCDG & Co.’s Delaney George about her artistic journey, which is open to everyone on Saturday.

According to David Colbert Jr., co-founder of DCDG & Co, this show is worthy of celebration, and if we in the culture don’t celebrate it, then we risk missing out or allowing others (such as influential figures or digital networks) to take credit for it instead. These significant moments could potentially be overlooked.

Entertainment & Arts

The Colberts often discuss the inspiration they gain from their rich, local heritage and long-standing connection to the city they’ve resided in for many years. This history serves as a powerful source of both resilience and innovation for them.

Girlfriends: A Visual Tribute” belongs to DCDG & Co.’s continuous curatorial series called Iconic Visions, designed to grant creators from diverse fields such as television, cinema, music, style, and sports an opportunity to take on the role of curators.

When I proposed the concept for our exhibit to my friend, Brooks – whom I had the pleasure of meeting at Frieze a few years back – her reaction was an enthusiastic affirmative, right off the bat.

Brooks expresses that they consistently strive to create something unique for these milestones as they serve as a reminder of all the achievements “Girlfriends” has made. By continuing to inspire and uplift communities, providing entertainment, and empowering daughters of viewers, they’re essentially shaping future generations of young women.

Brooks, a dedicated backer of the Los Angeles artistic scene for years, expresses that organizing an art exhibit to mark the occasion was an ideal method to intertwine her twin interests.

As a passionate cinema enthusiast, I’d rephrase it like this: “I am a living canvas. I embody artistic expression on the screen. This has sparked artists to honor us, women of color, by portraying our unity and connection in a unique way. It’s an incredible opportunity to be the starting point and the driving force behind showcasing the essence of sisterhood.

White, who’s been creating art since her childhood, felt much the same when she became a part of the exhibit. “Upon receiving the links to the artwork,” she shared, “tears welled up in my eyes.” She was deeply moved by the women and their diverse life stories.

At ‘Girlfriends: A Visual Tribute’, an exhibition curated by Erika Conner from DCDG & Co., you’ll find a stunning assembly of photographs capturing iconic Black women such as Rihanna, Lil Kim, and Naomi Campbell, all beautifully captured by celebrated photographer Cheryl Fox.

In this main exhibition, a tribute is given to “Girlfriends.” However, only one artwork by Jillian Thompson, which incorporates acrylic, thread, and collage, showcases the real faces of the adored friends group. All other artworks in the exhibit are inspired by the style, aesthetic, and themes presented in the show.

Entertainment & Arts

Mara Brock Akil, the showrunner, infused a sense of Los Angeles into her latest Netflix series ‘Forever’, even incorporating it into the production design. Notably, the elegant Edwards residence features artwork by numerous local Black artists.

The exhibition showcases a variety of artwork produced by artists from across the country, with several artists based in Los Angeles being represented. These include Brittany Byrd, McKayla Chandler, Tiffany “Just Rock” Brown, Asari Aibangbee, and Tumi Adeleye.

In Los Angeles resides McKayla Chandler, a versatile artist, who designed an engaging art exhibit piece titled “Mama’s Hands Only.” This installation replicates a cozy living room setting, complete with a couch, rug, a media center adorned with family pictures, and an antique TV showing episodes of “Girlfriends”. The centerpiece of the installation is a striking portrait of Chandler’s mother, shown in the act of braiding her hair – a tradition that dates back to when she was a child.

Chandler expresses that watching the show feels like forming a connection. Any young Black woman or child can understand the comfort of sitting on their mother’s lap while getting their hair braided, he explains. The show primarily revolves around friends navigating life together, experiencing various relationships and arguments, but ultimately reuniting. This bond they share is unique and profound, making it feel nostalgic to watch with family and reminisce about the past, especially when sharing this experience with one’s mother.

Tiffany “Just Rock” Brown, a Los Angeles-based photographer known for capturing men, particularly male rappers, chose to submit some photos for the “Girlfriends” exhibit as she fondly remembers watching the show with her family growing up. One of her submitted images, titled “In This Light,” was accepted and portrays two Black women in a warm embrace, captured on the set of Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” music video, which was filmed in Nickerson Gardens.

She notes that these girls perfectly embody the image you’d expect in these areas, yet they also serve as muses for high-end fashion and aspects often overlooked. This brought to mind the impact that ‘Girlfriends’ had when it first aired.

As a movie enthusiast, I’d like to express my thoughts on the show “Girlfriends” – a series that beautifully encapsulates the achievements and lives of Black women. These women were impeccably styled, radiantly beautiful, successful, and navigating the complexities of love. It was just everyday life, and it’s a narrative that remains underrepresented on television today. However, when it is seen, it should be celebrated for its authenticity and representation.

Similar to Brown, Brittany Byrd, a multitalented artist residing in L.A., was likewise exposed to “Girlfriends” at an early age. As Byrd recalls, the show was consistently playing in her household. She vividly remembers catching glimpses of Tracee Ellis Ross and exclaiming, “Wow, she’s stunning!

In the exhibit, Byrd crafted a work named “Episode 17,” drawing inspiration from an episode in the fourth season entitled “Love, Peace and Hair Grease.

Byrd, who was finishing up a large painting, emphasized that Lynn’s journey of discovering her identity through her hair as a Black woman is significant, regardless of whether someone is mixed or fully Black. Hair is a crucial topic for us all, constantly making us question our worth according to societal beauty norms. However, we are just as beautiful as we feel, and I want my artwork to elicit strong emotions about this.

Before the grand unveiling of the exhibition, Brooks expresses her greatest anticipation lies in encountering each artist personally and witnessing the final assembly of all the art pieces.

Among the exhibits she admires most is a colossal, strikingly realistic painting crafted by Alé Reviere. Appropriately named “See Through You,” this artwork captures the gaze of a young woman whose intense stare seems to penetrate the onlooker.

Brooks remarked that every aspect of her seemed to resonate with us,” he said. “Her hair texture and facial expression carried a sense of hurt and sorrow, yet there was also an air of liberation and fearlessness in her gaze.

She adds, “Pieces like that just move me.”

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2025-06-27 20:31

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