Community, Creativity and Camaraderie at the Queens Museum
Sonia Boyce spent two days in October 2025 at the Queens Museum, filming a series of events that showcased how art can unite people. The footage captures:
A Día de los Muertos altar crafted by members of Hope TGNC Latinx in the Corona area.
Transgender and gender‑nonconforming participants gathered to honor loved ones.A five‑point water whistle performance by musician Koyoltzintli, an instrument rooted in the Chorrera people of Ecuador.
The Resistance Revival Chorus marching through the museum, culminating in a sweeping view of New York City.
The production was guided by spontaneity and improvisation, with minimal direction. The resulting installation, titled “Demonstrate,” opened on June 27 at the same museum.
A Landmark Solo Show
- First solo exhibition in the United States and the first solo museum show there for Boyce.
- Features six films displayed on seven screens within a room adorned with her vibrant prints.
- Each film blends original footage with layers of text, interview clips, and bold patterns.
Sources for the imagery include:
- A crumpled tinfoil from a middle‑school art project found in the museum’s storage.
- Marigolds placed on an altar.
A Trailblazer in the Art World
- 1987: First Black female artist added to the Tate collection.
- 2016: First Black woman elected to the Royal Academy of Art.
- 2022: Represented Britain at the Venice Biennale.
- 2024: Honored as Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
Boyce’s work continues to break barriers, celebrating community, history, and artistic innovation in equal measure.
