Lilada Gee’s Art, Part of “Aint I A Woman?” Triennial Exhibit, Vandalized

In April, the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art opened the Wisconsin Triennial, a showcase of artists from around the state.

This year, the theme is “Ain’t I a Woman,” highlighting the intersection of race and gender and the underrepresentation of Black women artists in Wisconsin.

Lilada Gee is one artist in the Triennial. And while her work is featured alongside the other artists in the Triennial, it’s not finished. That’s because even before the exhibit opened, she was verbally assaulted by an employee, who didn’t believe that Lilada belonged in that space.

The incident left Lilada traumatized. She wrote a powerful and frank poem about the experience: “an open letter to all the “beths” who interrupt Black girls,” which she read at the opening reception. And her unfinished, interrupted mural has been on display as part of the Triennial.

Enter last week, when Lilada’s work was again interrupted, and this time, vandalized. Lilada joins us on the 8 O’Clock Buzz to tell us what happened, and how it’s part of the many stressors and traumatizing incidents that Black women face.

Lilada Gee is a prominent artist and advocate. She’s the founder of Defending Black Girlhood and Black Women Heal. She is the host of the Defending Black Girlhood Podcast, and a former host of A Public Affair on WORT. 

Photo courtesy of Lilada Gee.