Virginia Museum of Fine Arts to Host "Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys"

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) in Richmond is set to host "Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys" from November 22, 2025, through March 1, 2026. This exhibition will showcase over 130 works by nearly 40 Black artists from Africa, Europe, the United States, and the Caribbean, highlighting the couple's dedication to promoting Black artistry and cultural narratives.

The Dean Collection, owned by musical icons Swizz Beatz (Kasseem Dean) and Alicia Keys, comprises more than 1,000 pieces, focusing on works by Black artists from the diaspora. The collection includes notable artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Kehinde Wiley, Amy Sherald, Gordon Parks, Nick Cave, and Mickalene Thomas. The exhibition is organized by the Brooklyn Museum and underscores the couple's commitment to supporting Black artists and preserving cultural narratives.

"Giants" debuted at the Brooklyn Museum in February 2024, showcasing over 100 works by Black American, African, and African diasporic artists. The exhibition then traveled to the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Georgia, from September 13, 2024, to January 19, 2025, featuring nearly 100 works. The Minneapolis Institute of Art hosted the exhibition in early 2025, collaborating with Public Functionary, a Northeast Minneapolis arts program, for a five-week series organized around the theme of "Giants."

The "Giants" exhibition highlights the importance of showcasing diverse narratives in art, especially during times when such stories may be marginalized. VMFA curator Valerie Cassel Oliver emphasized this by stating, "In a moment when there is an attempt to suppress diverse narratives in art and culture, 'Giants' underscores the significance of artists to tell their stories, celebrate life... ."

Alicia Keys also expressed the exhibition's significance, stating, "We need to be our most giant selves: to think our most giant thoughts, express ourselves in the biggest way possible, and give ourselves permission to be giants."

The exhibition features a diverse range of artworks, including:

• Kehinde Wiley: Known for his vibrant, large-scale portraits that reimagine classical portraiture with contemporary subjects.
• Amy Sherald: Renowned for her distinctive style of portraiture, often depicting Black subjects in grayscale against colorful backgrounds.
• Gordon Parks: A pioneering photographer whose work captured the essence of African American life and culture.
• Nick Cave: An artist known for his "Soundsuits," wearable sculptures that blend fashion, dance, and art.
• Mickalene Thomas: Recognized for her elaborate paintings adorned with rhinestones, enamel, and colorful acrylics, celebrating Black femininity and beauty.

The exhibition will be held in the Altria Group Gallery and NewMarket Gallery at VMFA. Tickets are priced at $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $8 for youth ages 7–17 and college students with ID. Admission is free for VMFA members, children under 6, Museums for All participants ($2 with EBT), and active-duty military families through Blue Star Museums.

An exhibition catalogue, published by Phaidon, accompanies the show and includes interviews with artists as well as a conversation between the Deans and curator Kimberli Gant.

The "Giants" exhibition offers a rare opportunity to experience a significant collection of Black art, reflecting the Deans' passion for supporting artists and preserving cultural narratives. Visitors are encouraged to engage with the artworks and explore the diverse stories they convey.