Covering a span of a hundred years, the Portland Art Museum’s Northwest collection represents a rich tapestry of work created from the experiences of movement, migration, displacement, hope, home, memory, and loss. As curators from diasporic experiences, exploring this theme provided us with restorative insights into the Museum’s long endeavor to reflect the range and breadth of artists in the Northwest region.
“To Gather Your Leaving” is a quote from Ocean Vuong’s poem “Someday I’ll Love,” and it serves as a reflection on the inspiration that poetry provides to help illustrate diasporic experiences. This exhibition highlights ocean migrations, including those of the African and Asian diaspora, and those fleeing conflict. As this oceans-migration nexus grows as a result of globalization, war, and climate change, these movements and artistic moments will continue to shape our civilization and, with hope, our humanity.
