Opening Jan. 28, Tyler Art Gallery’s first exhibition of the year, "Justice and Inalienable Rights," features artwork from emerging and established artists of color whose artworks explore the concepts of justice and human rights within marginalized communities. 

The exhibition will run through Feb. 27, with an opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on Feb. 7, as part of the 36th annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration.

The exhibition centers around a rare book, "Scottsboro Limited," written by Langston Hughes and illustrated by Prentiss Taylor, which is part of the Tyler Art Gallery permanent collection. It features four poems and a play depicting the story of the Scottsboro Boys, nine black teenagers who were wrongfully accused of rape in Alabama in 1931.

From there, artworks were selected from the Armand-Paul Family Collection, established by brothers Newton and Marcus Paul, and includes paintings, videos, prints, photography and sculpture from the Latin and African diasporas.

While the exhibition explores challenging topics such as police brutality and colonialism, it also features artworks that celebrate culture and examine the right to self-expression as a political act.

Featured artists include Mequitta Ahuja, Esai Alfredo, Patrick Alston, Alvin Armstrong, Sanford Biggers, Terry Boddie, Kevin Claiborne, Ryan Cosbert, Jamal Cyrus, John Edmonds, Teresita Fernandez, Sam Gilliam, Ronald Jackson, Parris Jaru, Ashante Kindle, Simone Leigh, Natia Lemay, Glenn Ligon, Corey Lovett, Eric N. Mack. Kerry James Marshal, Carlos Martiel, Gustavo Nazereno, Arcmanoro Niles, Ludovic Nkoth, Armando Posse, Deborah Roberts, Jean- Marcel St. Jacques, Chiffon Thomas, Lina Iris Viktor, William Villalongo, Nari Ward, Ouattara Watts, Carrie Mae Weems and Didier Williams.

Tyler Art Gallery is open from 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. The gallery is closed on Mondays, holidays and when classes are not in session.

Classes and groups may arrange after-hours visitation. Contact Davana Robedee at davana.robedee@oswego.edu if you are interested in scheduling a class or group visit outside of visiting hours.

-- Submitted by Tyler Art Gallery