The Black Surrealist Movement with Dr. Tiffany Barber

The Phillips Collection’s Living Room is a series of intimate conversations featuring artists, authors, curators, collectors, and museum professionals. These programs offer rare opportunities to engage in discussions that connect the museum’s collection with broader dialogues.

As part of a special edition of the Living Room series spotlighting Miró and the United States, join Dr. Tiffany Barber, scholar, curator, and leading voice on contemporary art and Black surrealism, for an intimate talk exploring her research on the New Black Surrealist movement.

About Dr. Tiffany E. Barber

Dr. Tiffany E. Barber is an award-winning scholar, curator, and critic whose work reshapes how we understand race, gender, and representation. A sought-after voice in contemporary art, culture, and fashion, her expert commentary spans academic journals, museum exhibitions, acclaimed documentaries, and major media outlets like The Nation, Huffington Post, Frieze, and Tate Etc. Currently Assistant Professor of African American Art at UCLA, Dr. Barber blends art history, performance theory, and Black feminist thought in ways that challenge institutions, inspire audiences, and open up space for new cultural futures. Her accolades include the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery Director’s Essay Prize; leadership roles at the International Journal of Surrealism, the Delaware Contemporary, the College Board, and the Black Speculative Arts Movement; and numerous fellowships. Her path-breaking exhibitions have been featured in Surface Magazine and Google Arts and Culture. Her debut monograph, Undesirability and Her Sisters: Black Women’s Visual Work and the Ethics of Representation (NYU Press, 2025), cements her reputation as a leading tastemaker and thinker of this generation.

Accessibility Service

If you would like to request an accessibility service, please email reservations@phillipscollection.org in advance of your visit. Providing two weeks’ notice is recommended, though not required. Full efforts will be made to accommodate requests. For more information, please review our visitor guidelines.