Uploaded June 2022 | Updated September 2026, 5 hours ago

---

Clint Smith, Renée Stout, and Hank Willis Thomas present on the role of history and memory in shaping American culture and identity.

This is the third talk of the three-part series "John Wilmerding Symposium on American Art: Afro-Atlantic Histories," which gathers literary and visual artists to reflect on how art responds to and shapes both official and overlooked narratives wrought by the transatlantic slave trade and its legacies.

Watch the entire video by Hank Willis Thomas titled “A Person is More Important Than Anything Else…,” commissioned by NY Live Arts for the Year of James Baldwin: hankwillisthomas.com/WORKS/Video/2

Find out more about the John Wilmerding Symposium and Community Celebration: Afro-Atlantic Histories on our website:     
nga.gov/learn/adults/john-wilmerding-symposium-community-celebration-afro-atlantic-histories.html

Still haven’t subscribed to our YouTube channels? 
National Gallery of Art ►►youtube.com/NationalGalleryofArtUS
National Gallery of Art Talks ►►youtube.com/NationalGalleryofArtTalks
    
ABOUT THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART   
 
The National Gallery of Art serves the nation by welcoming all people to explore and experience art, creativity, and our shared humanity.   

More National Gallery of Art Content:
Facebook: facebook.com/nationalgalleryofart
Twitter: twitter.com/ngadc
Instagram: instagram.com/ngadc
Pinterest: pinterest.com/ngadc/_created
E-News: nga.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=e894a1837aca4526f7e8a11b3&id=2085ff9475

#Art
#NationalGalleryOfArt
#ClintSmith
#ReneeStout
#HankWillisThomas
#ECarmenRamos
#HowtheWordIsPassedAReckoningwiththeHistoryofSlaveryAcrossAmerica
#AfricaIsEverywhere
#AfroAtlanticHistories
#Wilmerding
#Blackness
#slavery