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Meet the Artists: John Jennings

“Afrofuturism is not being generated out of an ivory-tower mentality. It’s coming from the streets.”
— John Jennings

Meet @johnjenningsart, bestselling author and illustrator whose graphic novella "Protocol and Response"—featured in The Met's latest Bulletin, dedicated to Before Yesterday We Could Fly: An Afrofuturist Period Room—animates the objects on display in the period room.

Hear more from Jennings on his work, passion for science fiction, and his thoughts on Black identity and the role museums play in surfacing and preserving Black stories.

Take a virtual tour of the exhibition to explore further.


Contributors

Managing Producer: Kate Farrell
Producer: Melissa Bell
Editor: Lela Jenkins
Graphic Design: Abby Chen
Music: Austin Fisher
Photographs: Paul Lachenauer

Special thanks: John Jennings, Sarah Lawrence, Ian Alteveer, Ana Matisse Donefer-Hickie, Claire Lanier, Victoria Martinez, Sofie Andersen


Display with Van Gogh's Sunflowers, corresponding to a set of color swatches along the right side of the panel.
Vincent van Gogh continues to inspire efforts to improve imaging standards for color reproduction, including in 3D.
William Scott Geffert, Juan Trujillo, Chris Heins, Wilson Santiago, Isaac Jonas, and Xue Chen
March 11
Stylized urban scene with figures and machinery in motion. Bold use of black and orange illustrates dynamic city life and industrial energy.
Video
For over six decades, artist John Wilson (1922–2015) created powerful and poetic works that reflected his ongoing quest for racial, social, and economic justice.
February 3
A vibrant art studio scene with figures and bright colors. Foreground has a table with art supplies and flowers.
Video
In this year’s “The Michael and Juliet Rubenstein Lecture on Connoisseurship,” join world-renowned artist Kerry James Marshall in celebrating close looking as a source of inspiration.
January 30
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