On The Road ll is an exhibition series curated by Larry Ossei-Mensah highlighting the works of artists he encounters while traveling around the globe. The exhibition is loosely inspired by Jack Kerouac’s 1957 Beat Generation novel On the Road, which explores the travels of young men across postwar America; the book’s title and historical context galvanize Ossei-Mensah’s interrogation of contemporary issues of mobility, freedom, and identity at a time marked by political and societal unease.
Larry Ossei-Mensah has compiled a reading list recommended by the various artists in the show that has in some way shaped the work, practice, or interests of the artists.
What is your background? What initially lead you to become a curator?
I’m a first generation Ghanaian-American from the Bronx, NY with a background in media and advertising. I’ve always been fascinated by how art and visual culture could be used as a tool for storytelling. I have been specifically focused on sharing the stories and ideas of individuals and communities that society has attempted to push to the margins. My interest in storytelling led me to curating as a portal that enables me to use my work as a vehicle to center these dynamic voices after I realized over a decade ago that there weren’t enough platforms for folks on the periphery.
