Claire Oliver Gallery is pleased to present Robitussin, Hotcombs & Grease, a solo exhibition by multidisciplinary artist Stan Squirewell. With a nod to the ubiquity of the quotidien items: “Robitussin, Hotcombs & Grease” as hallmarks of domesticity and comfort in Black homes, Squirewell’s latest works focus on the reclamation of identity from historical anonymity, forging an intimacy and proximity with the past that lives alongside us in the present through everyday traditions. Across the more than 15 works in the exhibition, Squirewell sources images from the Smithsonian Institution’s anonymous photo archives, antique photos of friends and family ancestors, transforming them into layered collages, weaving vibrant patterns and contemporary luxury brand logos along with imagery that confers identity and status to these anonymous historical figures.
“My new work is a reflection of my upbringing and the profound influence of ancestry,” states Squirewell. “Growing up, I was shaped by elders around me, and everyday objects like Robitussin, hotcombs, and grease became vessels for the rituals that anchored me to my heritage. These items transcend their mundane uses: they embody traditions passed down through generations, grounding me in a collective identity.”
