We know D.C. Get our free newsletter to stay in the know.

Unsubscribe any time.

An occasional feature in which esteemed D.C. rapper Head-Roc shares what’s on his mind.

Browsing Facebook recently, I ran across the following status from the extremely gifted longtime D.C. visual artist Kim C. Gaines:

Interested in art? Like visiting new galleries and discovering new photo exhibits? The Tubman-Mahan Gallery with Authentic Arts Consulting and the Center for Green Urbanism present Urban Landscapes: DC to Denmark photography by Kimberly C. Gaines reception January 7th 6 to 8:30pm *I am horrible when it comes to self promotion.*

I’m glad I saw this post. Kim is a beast of a photographer who has been active shooting the life and times of our D.C. arts scene for almost as long as I can remember being a part of it. In a nutshell, from the heralded State of the Union days to now she’s been in the mix. To mildly put it, Kim C. Gaines is a Major Sista Girl in our arts community. Her face is a fixture in all your sentimental photos with the “happening” people—-people who do their own funky thang and are always on point with it.

I’ve known Sister Kim to formally roll tight with the Lil So-So Productions (shout out!) crew, headed up by the queenly Risikat Okedeyi, which throws some of the best social events in town. I can’t think of a time when Kim was not present at a Lil So-So event capturing the magic of the moment.

This time the production and hoopla is about Kim C. Gaines. Her stunning visual work is on exhibition in the Tubman-Mahar Art Gallery at the Center for Green Urbanism, located east of the river in what is described as “downtown Ward 7”—-near the intersection of Benning Road and Minnesota Avenue. Curated by Authentic Contemporary Art, Kim C. Gaines’ work is titled “Urban Landscapes: from DC to Denmark”.

As I interpret it, from the description provided in the artist statement about her work, “Urban Landscapes: from DC to Denmark” parallels how in our post-colonial reality, where descendants of the colonized dwell within the society of the colonizer, social programs that support gentrification are how power is used to continue old colonial dynamics. Somebody may be able to say that better than me. Imma go and see what Kim C. Gaines is talking about.

A reception for “Urban Landscapes: From DC to Denmark” takes places this Friday at Tubman Mahan Art Gallery at the the Center for Green Urbanism, 3938 Benning Road NE. 6 p.m.