At the opening of Rebuild Foundation’s exhibition, Theaster Gates | When Clouds Roll Away: Reflection and Restoration from the Johnson Archive, Sixty Inches from Center’s Tonal Simmons recorded reflections from the artist and attendees.

“Through this exhibit, the Stony Island Arts Bank becomes a landscape where clouds lift, if only for a moment, and the sun—or the people—embody hope after the storm. As attendees share their reflections, we hear stories of vulnerability, dreams, and renewal from Black Chicago, such as those of attendee Nia Robinson, who waited in line for close to an hour for the doors to open. She shares how the exhibit captures the full spectrum of Black experiences—from the vibrancy of fashion and beauty to the layered realities of colorism.” —Tonal Simmons, Sixty Inches from Center

“I wanted to celebrate the kind of design intentionality of Eunice and John Johnson, that they had impeccable taste and that they chose the best designers and architects to work with so that the impression they could make as a Black, pioneering, entrepreneurial publishing house would be significant and deep. I wanted people to see that intelligence, that kind of hyphenated brilliance.” —Theaster Gates

Listen to the audio piece and/or read a transcript on Sixty Inches from Center’s website.

Theaster Gates | When Clouds Roll Away: Reflection and Restoration from the Johnson Archive is on view at the Stony Island Arts Bank until March 16, 2025.