A Unique Art Exhibition in East Orange, NJ Showcases Black Artists

A Unique Black History Month Art Exhibit Highlights the Works of a Special Trio That Includes the Works of a Mother and Her Two Sons

As Black History Month takes center stage in Essex County, Mayor Ted Green, the East Orange City Council, and the Arts Council of East Orange is celebrating with a very special art exhibit that recognizes black creators and African American artists. The exhibit aims to help recognize Black artists and their extraordinary contributions to the world. The special exhibit is dubbed “Generational Wealth”, and features the works of “New Jersey’s first family of the arts, 3-The-Art-Way”. The unique group of artists encompasses a special trio that includes the works of a mother, Yvonne Onque, and her two sons, Samad Onque and Suliman Onque.

The family are all natives of Newark and were born into a well-known artistic family. Over the last several years, the group has worked on various art projects, exhibitions, murals, and events all across the states of New Jersey and Maryland. The trio recently hosted a successful exhibition as part of the 2022 Newark Arts Festival (NAF) called H.E.A.R.T Felt (Healing x Expressions x Artistically x Removing x Trauma). The aim of the event was to help stimulate dialogue about the effects of trauma and violence, and how can stakeholders help to transform by inspiring peace through the arts.

The group sought to create, connect, and expand upon Newark’s local art scene by blazing trails for other artists from Newark. The event, which was sponsored by Newark Arts and Audible featured a range of artistic works through various mediums, including original gallery artwork, meshed with live painting, live music, and spoken word.

One of the group’s latest accolades also includes them all participating in a one-of-a-kind “Black Lives Matter” mural that spanned an entire parking lot at Manufacturers Village in East Orange. The mural is nearly 20,000 square feet and is the largest public art installation in the city’s history. Each individual member of the 3-The-Art-Way brought their own artistic vision and talents to the mural.

This year’s black history exhibit can be viewed at the 'Gallery Under the Stairs" within the historic East Orange City Hall building. The exhibit boasts a collection of over 30 fine art and mixed media pieces showcasing the group’s dazzling pieces of work. Three-The-Art-Way’s artwork reflects the renderings of the African-American experience and incorporates "hidden messages behind each work of art”.

“We recognize that Art represents the soul of a people. There is nothing richer in the human experience than Family. This exhibit is an example of just one family's artistic expression of the collective family historical experience”, said Yvonne Onque of 3-The-Art-Way. It is an honor to highlight the accomplishments and contributions of Black communities while shining a spotlight on talented artists who are amplifying local Black voices and stories”, she added.

Consisting of powerful paintings, inspirational illustrations, and thought-provoking images, each of 3-The-Art-Way's pieces reflects a different response to social, political, and cultural issues. Throughout their work, there is a consistent theme of overcoming hardship and achieving equality through the process of empowerment, particularly through engaging in behaviors to promote social change.

East Orange Mayor Ted Green praised the exhibit and stressed the importance of highlighting local artists. "Black art is visual storytelling. Through images and words, Black artists give voice to the voiceless and evoke those emotions such as love and pain that are central to the Black experience in American culture," said the Mayor. "Family is a central theme in this exhibition and the Onques have uniquely created a body of work that exemplifies the soul of African American people."

“One of the commitments of 3-The-Art-Way is to highlight artists from historically excluded communities. The arts have always been a means of justice and healing, and 3-The-Art-Way will continue to celebrate the artistic voices of African American communities throughout the diaspora,” said Samad Onque, 3-The-Art-Way member. “We encourage everyone to explore the variety of exhibits, performances, workshops, and discussions within their respective communities this month and throughout the year.”

“We are pleased to continue to work with the City of East Orange to create a more inclusive, equitable, and accessible city for local artists,” said Suliman Onque, a member of 3-The-Art-Way. “Celebrating Black History Month and hosting an exhibit to recognize those in the Black community is one way we can showcase the beauty of our Black culture and raise awareness about inequalities we continue to face.”

Generational Wealth is a free exhibit and is open to the public. The exhibit will run from February 14th to March 31st in the Gallery Under the Stairs at 44 City Hall Plaza in East Orange, New Jersey.

An opening reception and opportunity to meet the artists will be held on Tuesday, February 14th from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. For more information about the exhibit, please visit https://aceo-nj.org/ or www.3theartway.com.