The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) is breaking new ground with a captivating exhibition featuring the works of native Detroiter, Tiff Massey. Entitled “Tiff Massey: 7 Mile + Livernois,” this exhibition, opening on Sunday, marks a significant milestone for both Massey and the museum. At 42, Massey becomes the youngest artist to have a solo show at the DIA, and this showcase is touted as the most ambitious ever undertaken for a Detroit artist.
Associate Curator of Contemporary Art, Katie Pfohl, underscores the significance of this exhibition, noting that it’s been years since the DIA commissioned an artist to create works specifically for dialogue with their space and collection. Massey’s exhibition comprises 11 works, including four new commissions and two responses to pieces by Donald Judd and Louise Nevelson, artists who have long influenced Massey’s artistic journey.
Massey’s art spans installations, jewelry, public art, and wearable sculptures, all inspired by adornment and its role in shaping identity and community. As the first Black woman to graduate from the Cranbrook Academy of Art with a degree in metalsmithing, Massey’s work often scales up jewelry to architectural proportions, celebrating Detroit’s neighborhoods and the cultural heritage of West Africa and Black America.
The exhibition’s title, “7 Mile + Livernois,” pays homage to Massey’s upbringing in the neighborhood, a hub of Black business and fashion. It also symbolizes connections and unity, reflecting Massey’s exploration of jewelry as a metaphor for community bonds and the interconnectedness of people and neighborhoods.
Massey’s exhibition, which began discussions in late 2022, offers a dynamic response to works in the DIA’s permanent collection, including a playful nod to Donald Judd’s iconic “Stack” piece. With “Tiff Massey: 7 Mile + Livernois” set to run for a full year until May 11, 2025, across four galleries in the museum’s contemporary wing, visitors will have ample opportunity to engage with Massey’s thought-provoking and visually stunning creations.
Marsha Battle Philpot, a DIA board member, emphasizes the importance of Massey’s exhibition in celebrating the resilience and creativity of Detroit’s younger generations. Through her art, Massey beautifully articulates the grandeur and magnificence of Detroit, adding yet another chapter to the city’s rich cultural legacy.
