STNDRD is pleased to present The Wind Still Whispers by Micah Mickles. This exhibition will be on view September 7th – Oct 19th, 2024 with a reception September 7th ,6-8pm.
Micah’s work is dedicated to uncovering tragedies and exploring the unfinished dreams of those whose lives were cut short. By examining his family archives, he sees his family as a symbol embodying these unrealized aspirations. The story of his great-grandfather, a Mississippi native who migrated to East Saint Louis, IL, and was forced to flee during the 1917 racial massacre that displaced over 6,000 Black residents and killed approximately 250, profoundly influences this work. This history motivates his mission to rediscover and memorialize these lost voices.
Wind Still Whispers is a site-responsive exhibition at STNDRD in Granite City, Illinois, near historic East St. Louis. The centerpiece is a wind-chime built from found materials such as old used fences that sway with the wind, symbolizing displacement. The bells stand in for voicelessness, and the tethered gold bricks signify the desire for rebuilding. The wind chime creates a soundscape that echoes the voices silenced by racial violence.
This space is designed for reflection and conversation, encouraging visitors to critically engage with the historical and ongoing issues of racism, violence, and marginalization in America that still echo in the present.
This work reflects the solemn and sacred nature of the memorial, tying in a thematic focus on loss, memory, and healing. It aims to encapsulate the wind-chime’s auditory and visual elements while honoring the historical significance of one of America’s most notable but under-reported tragedies.
Micah Mickles, a St. Louis-based mixed media artist, integrates photography, sculpture, printmaking, and fiber arts to explore texture and cultural narratives. Inspired by urban landscapes and cultural diversity, his work merges old and new materials in introspective assemblages that confront personal history and foster healing. Through storytelling and archival practices, Mickles honors his community’s resilience and legacy, inviting viewers to join his transformative journey of remembrance. He revitalizes forgotten histories and art forms, particularly from the African diaspora and American South, crafting vibrant narratives that resonate with profound emotional depth, drawing viewers into a shared experience. Mickles continues to push artistic boundaries, using his work to initiate healing and provoke meaningful dialogue on shared human experiences.