By: Sydney Becker
“We need to be our most giant selves: to think our most giant thoughts, express ourselves in the biggest way possible, and give ourselves permission to be giants,” Alicia Keys said about her collection of art with her husband, Swizz Beatz (Kasseem Daoud Dean).
The Dean’s “Giants” collection, now at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, is a culturally powerful curation of art. Included is nearly 100 pieces by Black artists from the Dean’s personal art collection. Black stories are on full display through multi-layered depictions of a history that is too often abandoned. It shines a spotlight on marginalized voices and cultural pride.
The collection beautifully captures the complexities of Black culture. I was confronted by more than just paintings by black artists; I faced a powerful narration through prison uniforms, civil rights struggles, hunger, queerness and Black excellence.
Each piece of artwork serves as a reminder of the intricacies of Black identity. Honest portrayals of systematic oppression highlight how strength and triumph arose from hardship. The collection stands as a testament to the resilience of love and art, flourishing despite adversity.
Alicia Keys’ words resonate in every painting and photograph, insisting we too express ourselves boldly. As I browsed the exhibit, I felt those words manifest in the art. Black stories are not limited to their past, rather, they are transforming the future of Black experiences.
The “Giants” collection is now at the Minneapolis Institute of Art until July 13, 2025. Admission is $20 for adults and worth every penny.
