Afrofuturism exhibit at the NC Museum of Art showcases talents of costume designer Ruth E. Carter

Aug 06, 2023

A new exhibit in the North Carolina Museum of Art features the work of costume designer Ruth E. Carter.

It's called "Afro-Futurism in Costume Design" with fashions worn by many famous actors and actresses including Eddie Murphy and Angela Bassett.

The bold colors and striking designs represent the creativity of Carter, a two-time Oscar Award winner. Her work now attracts the growing interest of art museums across the country.

Maya Brooks, the NC Museum of Art curator of contemporary art, said, "I feel like a lot of museums lately have been thinking about fashion design and costuming as part of that."

She says Carter's "Afrofuturism" offers a new approach to costume design. "She's looking at fashion and technology and combining all of that to be this cultural expression," explained Brooks.

From humble beginnings with an old sewing machine, now part of the exhibit, Carter went on to create high tech designs as seen in Black Panther films including one royal gown worn by Angela Bassett in the film "Wakanda Forever."

Brooks said, "Julia Corner is the 3D print maker that worked with Ruth on this outfit. So the mantle and the crown are all 3D printed material."

Morgan Watkins led a group of students from Central Park School in Durham to see the display. "This is my first time here and it is just amazing," Watkins said.

She scheduled the trip for herself as well as the students.

"It really builds their confidence for how we can keep going and keep this going and have more Ruth E. Carters of the world," said Watkins.

From humble beginnings with a sewing machine on display in the exhibit, Carter went on to create high tech designs seen in Black Panther films including a gown worn by actress Angela Bassett.

Carter outfitted Eddie Murphy in a variety of roles. "There were hundreds of outfits just for Eddie Murphy," explained Brooks.

The designs were meant for the silver screen, but after the films end, the costumes are typically stored away. Now, at the state's Museum of Art and other venues across the country, the designs receive their due honor.

"To have this on display and to have families and groups of kids and parents and just people of all ages be able to engage with that and interact with those details is amazing," said Brooks.

The special exhibition of Ruth E. Carter's AfroFuturism in costume design continues through August 6.