Gallery Highlight: Skiing in Color
Sarah Sherman
It's no secret—skiing and snowboarding have historically lacked diverse representation. However, there are those working tirelessly to change that. During the 2020-21 winter season, Snowbird opened a gallery featuring the bright and bold work of Park City artist Joseph Lamont White, showcasing skiers and snowboarders of color right in the heart of the resort.
Painted during White’s residency in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, the collection “Skiing in Color” was coincidentally released alongside nationwide discussions of racial tension, though the inspiration for his work began much earlier. White’s joyful and colorful work lies in stark contrast to the decades-long issues it strives to address while paying homage to notable Black figures such as Rosa Parks and Fredric Douglas through modernized, slopeside portraits. While these icons may never have skied themselves, White’s question persists: In a predominantly white sport, what does skiing look like, in color? The answer also includes paintings of the everyday Black person, featuring afros haloing out from ski goggles, a young girl’s sheepish grin, high-fashion poses and stern portraiture. The paintings not only answer, but invite.
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Posted Apr 16, 2024
White’s joyful and colorful work lies in stark contrast to the decades-long issues it strives to address while paying homage to notable Black figures.
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