The National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) in Washington, D.C. is presenting a groundbreaking exhibition titled "Sanctuaries of Truth, Dissolution of Lies" by artist Tawny Chatmon. This remarkable showcase, running until March 8, 2026, features more than 25 large-scale photographs from recent series created between 2019 and the present, marking Chatmon's first museum exhibition in the nation's capital.
Chatmon's artistic approach combines historical decorative motifs with powerful African American cultural symbols to create visually stunning and impactful portraits that directly confront racism and cultural erasure. Her work centers on celebrating Black childhood, Black resistance, and self-determination, often featuring her own family members as models to create deeply personal and authentic representations.
While photography forms the foundation of her studio practice, Chatmon elevates her works through meticulous manual processes, intricate staging, and sophisticated digital manipulation techniques. She frequently embellishes her prints with hand-applied acrylic paint, 24-karat gold leaf, semiprecious stones, beads, thread, and various other materials. These enhanced photographs are then displayed in carefully selected gilded antique or contemporary baroque-style frames.
These artistic interventions serve a powerful purpose, giving Chatmon's subjects a sense of gravitas and dignity that often contrasts with their youth while directly addressing the historical absence, exclusion, and devaluation of Black bodies in Western art traditions. The ornate presentation challenges viewers to reconsider established art historical narratives and recognize the beauty and significance of Black identity.
"Is there a redemptive power in visual arts? Do artists have the ability to control and shift the narrative through their work? These are questions that inform my creative process," Chatmon explained. "I believe both to be true. In the same way that literature continues to be a tool for shaping the human psyche, I believe visual arts carry the same ability."
The exhibition is located at the National Museum of Women in the Arts at 1250 New York Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20005, with additional information available at nmwa.org. This significant presentation offers visitors an opportunity to engage with contemporary art that challenges historical narratives while celebrating Black identity and resilience through the lens of one of today's most compelling visual artists.
