In a significant celebration of Black culture and representation, the comedy series “Girlfriends” marks its 25th anniversary this year.
Debuted on September 11, 2000, on UPN, the show followed the lives of four Black women—Joan, Toni, Lynn, and Maya—as they navigated life, relationships, and personal growth in Los Angeles.
Created by Mara Brock Akil, who previously contributed to shows like “South Central” and “Moesha,” “Girlfriends” aimed to provide authentic portrayals of Black women, displaying them as multifaceted individuals with aspirations, challenges, and humor.
For eight seasons, until its cancellation in 2008, the series became a staple for viewers, addressing themes of ambition, beauty standards, classism, and sisterhood.
Since being added to Netflix in 2020, the show’s influence has grown, solidifying its status as a landmark in television history and a pivotal part of Black culture.
To commemorate this milestone, DCDG & Co., a fine arts agency based in Los Angeles, has launched a curated art exhibition titled “Girlfriends: A Visual Tribute.”
This exhibition, produced in collaboration with the show’s cast and Loren LoRosa from iHeartRadio’s “The Breakfast Club,” showcases works that embody the core themes of the series.
Running from Friday to Sunday at the Line Hotel in Koreatown, the showcase features a diverse range of art forms including photography, sculpture, paintings, and installations.
All pieces in the exhibition were independently selected by the cast and LoRosa, marking their debut as art curators.
David Colbert Jr., co-founder of DCDG & Co., expressed the importance of recognizing cultural milestones such as these: “[This] show deserves to be celebrated, and if we in the culture don’t do it, then we’re just waiting for the powers that be or networks that are transitioning to a digital space. These moments might get passed up on.”
“Girlfriends: A Visual Tribute” is part of DCDG & Co.’s ongoing curatorial series, Iconic Visions, which invites public figures from creative industries to take on the role of curator.
Brooks shared her enthusiasm about the exhibition after Colbert proposed the idea to her.
She stated, “I always want to do something special for [these milestones] because it is a bookmark of everything that ‘Girlfriends’ has done. We are still uplifting communities. We are still entertaining and empowering the daughters of the mothers who watch the show, so we’re kind of raising generations of young women.”
Highlighting her connection to the arts, Brooks emphasized the significance of the exhibition as a means to celebrate the portrayal of Black women in media.
“We are wearable art. We are visual art in the space of a TV show. This also inspired artists to celebrate how they see us as women of color, as women in a space of unity and connection, and what better way to be the springboard and the catalyst to celebrate what sisterhood looks like?”
Persia White, another cast member, also expressed her emotional response to being part of the exhibit.
“When they sent me the links to the art, I literally got tears in my eyes. I was just really touched by the women and [their] different experiences,” she shared.
In addition to the tribute to “Girlfriends,” the exhibition includes a solo display curated by Erika Conner, showcasing photographs of iconic Black women like Rihanna, Lil Kim, and Naomi Campbell, all taken by renowned photographer Cheryl Fox.
While one mixed media piece by Jillian Thompson features the iconic friend group, the other artworks draw inspiration from the overall ethos and aesthetics of “Girlfriends.”
Among the featured artists are several based in Los Angeles, including Brittany Byrd, McKayla Chandler, Tiffany “Just Rock” Brown, Asari Aibangbee, and Tumi Adeleye.
McKayla Chandler, a multidisciplinary artist, has created an interactive installation titled “Mama’s Hands Only.”
This setup is designed to replicate a living room ambiance, complete with a couch, rug, and an entertainment center adorned with family photos.
An old-school TV displays episodes of “Girlfriends,” while the central focus of the installation—a portrait of Chandler’s mother braiding her hair—evokes connections to intimate experiences shared between mothers and daughters.
“To me, it feels like connection. Any young, Black woman or Black kid in general can relate to sitting in their mom’s lap and getting their hair braided,” Chandler noted.
She elaborated on the essence of the show, highlighting the bonds formed through shared experiences, relationships, and even conflicts among friends.
The nostalgia of the installation invites onlookers to sit, look through photographs, and watch the show, evoking a sense of warmth and familiarity.
Tiffany “Just Rock” Brown, known for her photography work focused on men, also contributed to the exhibit due to her personal connection with the series.
Her selected piece, titled “In This Light,” depicts two Black women embracing on the set of Kendrick Lamar’s music video, channeling the essence of community and inspiration derived from everyday life.
Reflecting on the show’s significance, Brown stated, “I think there’s beautiful representation of what [Black people] have done and what we’ve accomplished, and ‘Girlfriends’ is a true representation of that. Women that were dressed flawlessly. They were beautiful. They were successful. They were just living life and trying to find love, just regular stories.”
She added, “It’s very much still a space that’s missing [in television], but I think it should definitely be celebrated.”
Similarly, Brittany Byrd, a multidisciplinary artist also from L.A., recalls growing up with the show’s influence in her home.
Byrd created a piece titled “Episode 17,” inspired by a particular episode about Lynn and her journey with her hair as an expression of identity.
Byrd explained, “Whether you’re mixed or all Black, hair is something that is at the top of our minds. Whether it’s done or if we’re polished, we’re always just kind of seeking those questions of validity through societal beauty standards when it’s like we’re as beautiful as we feel. So I want my piece to just evoke emotion.”
As the opening night of the exhibit approaches, Brooks expressed anticipation for meeting the artists and witnessing the collective presentation of the artwork.
Among her favorites is a hyperrealism painting by Alé Reviere, titled “See Through You.”
Brooks described the piece as deeply relatable, saying, “All of her features were just so us. The texture of her hair and the expression on her face. There was a pain. There was a sadness, but there’s also sort of this freedom and unapologetic look in her eyes.”
She concluded with enthusiasm, emphasizing the emotional resonance these artworks carry, stating, “Pieces like that just move me.”
In summary, the “Girlfriends: A Visual Tribute” exhibition is a heartfelt homage that intertwines visual art and representation, celebrating the profound impact of a show that has shaped cultural narratives and the lives of its viewers over the past 25 years.
image source from：latimes
