Feb 2, 2026 - Things to Do
Disguises abound in next exhibition at the Shepherd
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Artist Nina Chanel Abney (left), and "Mary," by the artist. Photos: Claire Dorn, Courtesy of Perrotin (left) and Dan Bradica Studio, courtesy of the artist and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York
Distorted information and communication gaps are the central focus of the Shepherd's latest art exhibition.
State of play: The former church turned art gallery on Detroit's near east side will host nine contemporary artists whose work will "veil, disguise or distort" in a deliberate way, according to a press release.
Artists in the show, "A Meadow in the Clouds," include:
- Tunji Adeniyi-Jones, whose work is inspired by West African modernist painting, created three paintings with avatar-like figures diving and emerging from decorated background scenes.
- Nina Chanel Abney's Cubist-inspired paintings of figures relaxing look like yearbook photos, calling back to Abney's experiences finding community in college as a Black queer woman.
- Textile artist Qualeasha Wood uses the movement in fabric to represent the internet's fluidity.
If you go: The exhibition runs Thursday through April 18.
- Hours are 11am-5pm, Wednesday-Sunday.