New DIA Exhibition Celebrates Black Identity and Culture

Influenced by her parents’ stylish flair — her father’s love for Cadillacs and custom jewelry, her mother’s impeccable grooming — Tiff Massey, who at age 42 is the youngest artist to be featured in a Detroit Institute of Arts solo exhibition, is sculpting a new narrative of Black identity and culture through her larger-than-life art.

Tiff Massey: 7 Mile + Livernois is the trained metalsmith and sculptor’s vibrant tribute to her roots growing up in the fashion district and the community that nurtured her artistic spirit.

At the exhibition, which the DIA calls her “most ambitious museum installation to date,” you will find new sculptures commissioned by the museum, including “Whatupdoe,” a 15,000-pound necklace made from steel architectural beams, and “Baby Bling,” made of metal beads, woven rope, and brass, an homage to the hair ties and barrettes of a girl’s childhood.

“The exhibition is an homage to Blackness,” Massey explains. “It’s about love, labor, and being nurtured. It’s about the everyday rituals of adornment, like the hair ties and the care from your mom or grandmother.”

Why Massey now? Exhibition curator Katie Pfohl explains: “Tiff Massey is an internationally recognized artist but has never had a major museum exhibition in her hometown of Detroit.” The exhibition, which features works by several other artists from the museum’s collection, “reflects the qualities that inspired us to work with Tiff: her deep commitment to the city of Detroit and her innovative art practice merging metalsmithing, installation art, and community work.”

Massey’s work draws heavily from the aesthetics of 1980s hip-hop culture, with its oversize accessories and bold statements. “I was always amazed by the scales of these works,” she says. “I take those characteristics from hip-hop and make these larger necklaces in my fashion.”

Massey’s education at Cranbrook Academy of Art — where she was the first Black woman to earn an MFA in metalsmithing — expanded her artistic repertoire, allowing her to experiment with different materials and scales. “I love metal, but I also started working with fiber and thinking about sculpture,” she explains. “I began considering how to adorn more than one person at a time.”

Navigating the art world as a trailblazer, Massey has faced her share of obstacles. As one of the few Black women with a Master of Fine Arts in metalsmithing, she’s confronted racism and doubts about her skills head-on. Instead of backing down, Massey thrives on the challenge.

“I double down,” she says. “Once I realized that I’m bothering people just because I’m skilled and talented, it’s like, let’s go. I’m just gonna wear you out.”

Art, for Massey, is a dynamic platform for addressing social issues, particularly those affecting things, historical things, and Detroit quite often,” she says. “We are ambassadors for our city, whether we want to be or not.”

Looking ahead, Massey is excited about several upcoming projects. She’s organizing WhatUpDoe Fest in September, a community-focused festival.

“WhatUpDoe Fest will celebrate the culture and creativity of Detroit,” Massey says. “It’s about bringing people together and highlighting the amazing talent we have in this city.”

Additionally, she is working on a major commission for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library in Charlotte, North Carolina. “I’ll be the only artist commissioned to make a new piece for their uptown library, exhibited alongside Romare Bearden,” she shares. This project involves creating a 136-panel wooden quilt that will be displayed at the library.

The commission is a significant undertaking, reflecting Massey’s dedication to her craft and her ability to work on a grand scale.

“These panels will be a fusion of wood and mixed media, each telling a part of a larger story,” she explains. “It’s about creating something that resonates with the community and honors the space it’s in.

“I want my art to reflect the beauty and complexity of Black life,” she says. “It’s about more than just aesthetics — it’s about storytelling and representation.”

Her pieces, whether they are large-scale installations or intricate metalwork, are a testament to her skill and vision. Massey’s ability to cross genres and mediums speaks to her versatility as an artist.

“I’m interdisciplinary,” she says. “I want people to come and see what I’m talking about each time. It’s not just about one style or one message.”

Despite the challenges she has faced, Massey’s passion for her work and her community remains unwavering.

“Art is a powerful vehicle for change,” she says. “It’s about starting conversations and making people think. I want my work to inspire and provoke, to make people see the world differently.”

With her upcoming projects and ongoing commitment to community development, Tiff Massey is not slowing down. Her work continues to push boundaries and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Detroit.

“I’m just getting started,” she says. “There’s so much more to come.”

For more information on Tiff Massey’s DIA exhibit, which runs through May 11, 2025, please visit dia.org/events/exhibitions.

This story originally appeared in the August 2024 issue of Hour Detroit magazine. To read more, pick up a copy of Hour Detroit at a local retail outlet. Our digital edition will be available on Aug. 6.