Inside the Detroit gallery honoring generations of Black art, two siblings are turning their father’s legacy into a living, breathing cultural space
On Hendrie Street in Detroit’s Cultural Center, inside the building where their father once ran his architectural firm, Jo Lynn Lewis and Aubrey C. Agee II have built something rare, a gallery that feels like it was always supposed to be there. The Hendrie Detroit opened in October with a vision to honor the city’s deep Black arts tradition, and four exhibitions in, it’s already drawing artists and audiences who recognize the weight of that mission.
Their latest show, “All That Glows: Contemporary Black Portraiture,” brings together five artists whose work spans Detroit and Nigeria, each one pulling viewers in with color, detail and a story that doesn’t let go.
What inspired the creation of The Hendrie Detroit?
Aubrey C. Agee II: We have an amazing tenant that lives here, James Charles Morris, who had an idea of doing a gallery in one of our empty units. We right away said yes, let’s do that. We started in October. He did the first curation and now this is our fourth show. This is also our dad’s former office. He did have his architecture firm here in three units. We are standing right now in where he sat, his actual office. We wanted to bring art and culture back to this building.
As siblings, how do your different perspectives come together in running the gallery?
Jo Lynn Lewis: I love working with my brother. He is trained as an engineer and I went to school for journalism. If you marry the two of those, he’s way more technical and logical and I have more of a creative mind. Not saying that he’s not creative, because I feel we all are. But if I see something that doesn’t aesthetically look right or feels out of place, I can say no, and then he’ll be like, okay, I see what you’re saying. His technical side and my creativeness married together is great.
Aubrey C. Agee II: She’s being modest. My sister’s an amazing program manager and taskmaster. It’s a joy to work with each other and to compliment each other. Even though you might have challenges when you’re younger, if you grow through those things and get older, everything’s much sweeter when you learn how to come together.
What makes “All That Glows” so special?
Jo Lynn Lewis: We see the raw truth from these artists, from their techniques and from their pieces. They bring to life the people they portrayed in their works.
Why these five featured artists?
Jo Lynn Lewis: It started with a girlfriend of mine who represents an artist named Emmanuel Nwankwo. His portraitures were of some famous people. He has an MLK, Frederick Douglas and Kobe Bryant, and the detail in them sparked my interest. From there I started researching and I found Kelani Fatai, who did the cover for Tina Knowles’ book, Beyoncé’s mom.
There’s a movement right now in Nigeria where they’re doing a lot of florals behind their portraitures and it sparked something in me. Our curator, Erin Falker, connected us with him. From there we found another Nigerian artist, Akindele John, with a similar but different technique. We also have Detroit artist Jason Phillips, who is a longtime friend. I’ve known him since we were five. And then we have a young up and coming artist, Zuri Dean.
What can visitors expect once the doors open?
Jo Lynn Lewis: They can expect truth, color and culture.
What’s next for The Hendrie Detroit after this exhibition?
Jo Lynn Lewis: We have “The Hendrie Salon 2” coming up in April. Our curator and partner, James, is heading that one up.
Aubrey C. Agee II: It’s a sequel to the first exhibition that James curated in October and it’s growing. More artists want to become a part of this. They know this is the space for Black artists to show their works and they’re appreciated. We appreciate what they do and the stories they tell.
When and where can people see “All That Glows”?
Jo Lynn Lewis: It’s open until April 11th. On weekends, Saturday and Sunday, we are open from 12 to 4. After that, we’ll be back open Thursday and Friday from 5 to 8, and then Saturday and Sunday again, 12 to 4. The address is 556 Hendrie, Detroit, Michigan 48202.
“All That Glows: Contemporary Black Portraiture” is on view at The Hendrie Detroit through April 11th. Follow the gallery on Instagram at @thehendriedetroit.
