Leroy Campbell: Black Joy is a Revolutionary Act
Curated by Dr. teddy raShaan
Presented by Richard Beavers Gallery
In Black Joy is a Revolutionary Act, contemporary artist Leroy Campbell explores joy not merely as an emotion, but as a potent instrument of resistance and a cultural renaissance. Inspired by the spiritual truth that "the world didn't give it, and the world can't take it away," this exhibition positions Black joy as a transcendent force beyond material circumstances.
Campbell’s visual narratives illuminate how everyday moments—family reunions, children at play, and communal revelry—function as essential lifelines. His work reveals joy as a "sacred technology" passed down through generations; a lineage that has survived chattel slavery, Jim Crow, and gentrification by wielding spirit as both weapon and medicine.
This body of work is a radical affirmation of humanity. It reminds us that in choosing joy despite systemic realities, Black communities perform the ultimate revolutionary act: embodying a resilience that sustains the soul and transforms the world.
