“All that you touch, you change. All that you change, changes you. The only lasting truth is change.” — Octavia Butler
As Octavia Butler wrote, change is the only lasting truth. We hold the capacity to change in countless ways, and in turn, to change those around us, and the world we inhabit.
REINVENT is the first solo exhibition from Brooklyn artist Arthur Banach, curated by Danielle Rowe. Currently on view at Loudmouth Gallery in Bed-Stuy, the show explores the mechanics of transformation, beginning with the self, then compounding, like layered beats, into something new yet still reminiscent of the foundations that shaped it.
All photos courtesy of Nicholas Bailey.
The exhibition traces the self-evolution of pioneers in hip hop and social justice. Hip hop has long been a microcosm of change: born in the Bronx to give voice to the forgotten, blending sounds from generations past, jazz and soul, into something the world had never heard. Its sound has evolved over decades, yet its grounding truths remain constant. Like hip hop, the pursuit of social justice holds onto its foundational layers even as the practices we use to reach collective liberation, and the leaders who guide us there, continue to shift.
In REINVENT, this idea plays out through abstract portraiture of figures like Gil Scott-Heron, who gave voice to revolution, and Malcolm X, whose own journey brought about a personal metamorphosis echoing the civil rights era. “Too Afraid to Die,” an abstract meditation on Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come,” serves as the show’s foundational pillar, with layers of paint obscuring definition and asking viewers to locate the change they want to see within each piece.
Taken together, the work is an effort to move people to action, fitting naturally within Loudmouth Gallery’s broader mission of championing societal change through art and hip hop. The gallery’s curatorial practice uplifts emerging artists, turning them into beacons of their craft who inspire others to pursue art rooted in justice, honoring the very ethos of hip hop itself.
REINVENT is on view at Loudmouth Gallery located at 348 Marcus Garvey Blvd, Brooklyn through September 1, 2026. Explore the artist statement and overview of works here: bit.ly/4539pxW. All paintings are for sale, and half of all sales will be donated to the Acacia Center for Justice, a non profit organization working to evoke positive change in our immigration system.
Danielle Rowe is a Brooklyn-based artist and curator. Outside the studio and gallery world, she raises funds for public schools at DonorsChoose.