CAULEEN SMITH, Still from “The Wanda Coleman Songbook,” 2024. The installation is accompanied by a limited-edition soundtrack with contributions by various artists. | © Cauleen Smith. Courtesy the artist and 52 Walker, New York, N.Y.
Wanda Coleman, a prominent American poet from Los Angeles, skillfully expressed themes of poverty, racism, love, and inequality through her poignant and candid poetry. Her impactful words evoked a range of emotions and reflections among her audience.
Famed for her experimental film projects, interdisciplinary artist Cauleen Smith pays tribute to the late poet’s work with an immersive video installation. Inspired by Coleman’s views on the cultural and political landscape of Los Angeles, Smith’s installation encapsulates various aspects of the city that influenced the poet’s creations.
Presented by gallery director Ebony L. Haynes, “Cauleen Smith: The Wanda Coleman Songbook” features a multiscreen video installation capturing elements like palm trees, the Pacific Ocean, car culture, homelessness, Black neighborhoods, and iconic landmarks such as Griffith Observatory. Shot by Smith in 2023, the exhibition offers a unique sensory experience to visitors with the video projected directly onto the gallery walls, complemented by cozy seating arrangements.
Accompanying the video installation is a special “soundtrack” on a limited-edition vinyl EP, including songs inspired by Coleman’s poetry by artists like Meshell Ndegeocello. Visitors can immerse themselves in the exhibition ambiance by playing the EP on a turntable while exploring Coleman’s poetic publications available for reading. As a keepsake, attendees can take home paper blotters carrying excerpts of Coleman’s poems infused with a signature scent created by agustine zegers.
Wanda Coleman’s impactful poetry beautifully encapsulated the essence of Los Angeles, resonating with the artistry of Cauleen Smith upon her return to the city after 16 years.
Exhibition preview of “Cauleen Smith: The Wanda Coleman Songbook” at 52 Walker Gallery, 52 Walker Street, New York, N.Y. The show is on view from Jan. 19—March 16, 2024. | Video by David Zwirner
Growing up in Watts during the 1950s and 60s, Wanda Coleman established her presence in the literary circles of Los Angeles, earning the title of “unofficial poet laureate of Los Angeles” by the Los Angeles Times. Over her career, she transitioned from varied writing roles to focus primarily on poetry, publishing several acclaimed works with Black Sparrow Press.
Coleman’s exceptional contributions, including award-winning titles like “Bathwater Wine” and “Mercurochrome: New Poems,” earned critical recognition, although she never received widespread acclaim during her lifetime. Posthumously, her work is gaining increased appreciation, with poets like Terrance Hayes editing collections of her poems, such as “Wicked Enchantment, Selected Poems,” which have received rave reviews and commendations.
In a conversation with Zoë Hopkins, Cauleen Smith discussed her exhibition and how Coleman’s influence shaped her creative process, outlining her method of learning from the insights and materials of other prominent artists like Wanda Coleman.
Cauleen Smith expressed her admiration for the artists she learns from, emphasizing the deep study she engages in to honor their influence. Smith sees her work as a way to apply, expand, and build upon what these artists have created. The exhibition titled “Cauleen Smith: The Wanda Coleman Songbook” will be showcased at 52 Walker Gallery in New York, N.Y., from Jan. 19 to March 16, 2024.
For more poetry by Wanda Coleman, you can explore selections available through the Academy of American Poets. Additionally, an article written by Cauleen Smith in the Los Angeles Times (subscription required) recounts her meeting with artist George Evans, Wanda Coleman’s brother, and their discussion about the poet and the history of Black Los Angeles.
You can watch videos of Wanda Coleman reciting her work in different settings, such as at a celebration in Mexico and in readings of her poems like “I Live for My Car” and “Wanda, Why Aren’t You Dead.”
A book titled “Wicked Enchantment: Selected Poems” (2020), featuring 130 poems by Wanda Coleman and edited by Terrance Hayes, has been praised widely. Coleman, who published several volumes with Black Sparrow Press during her lifetime, was known for her significant literary contributions. Hayes, the editor of “Wicked Enchantment,” is an accomplished author himself, having won the National Book Award for Poetry in 2010 for “Lighthead: Poems” and being a finalist for other prestigious awards.
If you appreciate Culture Type, you can support its ongoing production by making a donation. Your contribution helps sustain this independent editorial project that involves extensive research, reporting, and production efforts. Whether you opt for a one-time donation or a recurring monthly contribution, your support is greatly appreciated. Thank you for supporting Culture Type!
