Maryland State Wire

The Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) is set to showcase "Heavy with History: Devin Allen and the Baltimore Uprising," an exhibition featuring 35 photographs by local artist Devin Allen. The exhibit, launching on April 16, captures the emotional protests following Freddie Gray's death in 2015. Organized by Lisa Snowden-McCray, Editor-in-Chief of Baltimore Beat, the display offers a glimpse into the unrest through poignant black-and-white images that include scenes of protestors, children, and police officers. Visitors can also engage with a soundscape reflecting voices from the Baltimore Uprising. The exhibition will remain on view until June 22, 2025.

Asma Naeem, the BMA’s Dorothy Wagner Wallis Director, emphasized the significance of Allen’s work, stating, "Devin Allen’s photographs are evocative, poignant, and magnetic. They draw you into a critical moment in time, reflecting a raw and shared humanity." Naeem expressed gratitude to Lisa Snowden-McCray for the collaboration and noted the importance of remembering Freddie Gray and the Baltimore Uprising.

Other events commemorating Gray and the Uprising include a special issue of Baltimore Beat, a reflective event at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, an exhibition at the Creative Alliance, and the premiere of "Baltimore Still Rising" at the Senator Theater.

Freddie Gray passed away on April 19, 2015, following his arrest by Baltimore City Police. His death sparked widespread protests throughout Baltimore. Devin Allen, a West Baltimore native, documented the events through his lens, capturing more than 4,000 images that sought to convey a narrative of activism and commitment to community. Allen stated, "I just remember Gordon Parks talking about using a camera as a weapon." His efforts aimed to portray a chapter of history for Baltimore and the country.

The exhibition, organized with support from Tracey Beale, highlights Allen’s contributions beyond photography. He founded Through Their Eyes, a youth photography program, and has been recognized for his leadership in arts and activism. In 2020, he became an ambassador for Leica Camera AG. His publications include "No Justice, No Peace: From the Civil Rights Movement to Black Lives Matter" and the forthcoming "Baltimore" release.

The BMA, established in 1914, offers a diverse collection of over 97,000 objects. Located near Johns Hopkins University, admission to the museum remains free to the public.