Join Curator and Curatorial Exchange Initiative Fellow Terence Washington for a members-only tour of Zora J Murff: RACE/HUSTLE.

In RACE/HUSTLE, Zora J Murff shows, through photographs, collages, and, for the first time, installation works, that the pursuit of liberation is, in part, a struggle against a desire for what merely looks like liberation. The Perfect Slave (after Jared Sexton) (2022) is a glitchy image of President Barack Obama’s official headshot that makes him look like a masked bandit. In Gas Money (Affirmation #1) (2019), Andrew Jackson peeks out from a folded $20 bill being passed from one Black hand to another. One of two participatory works, Master’s Tools/Master’s House (Exclusion and Extraction) (2025), bluntly signifies how the art museum itself is part of the cultural arm of white supremacy and state power. RACE/HUSTLE reminds us that race, capital, and imperialism structure much of our relationships to one another and ourselves. At the same time, they are not absolutely powerful. What does it take to resist? What does it take to desire to resist?

Attendees expect insights into Murff’s works, and to learn more about the books that inspired the exhibition. After the tour, Washington will lead a conversation in the Research and Development Store with author Ben Passmore about his graphic novel Black Arms to Hold You Up. Tickets to this conversation are free to members, and available here. 

Learn more about the exhibition here.

Meet in the lobby upon arrival. Space is limited, and RSVP is required. Log in to register, or RSVP to members@massmoca.org. If you have any questions please contact the Membership team at members@massmoca.org or 413.664.4481 ext. 5.

Not a member? Join now to attend. MASS MoCA members enjoy free museum admission, ticketing discounts, invites, and more.