The Municipal Housing Authority of Yonkers (MHACY) and Philipse Manor Hall (PMH) have partnered with Yonkers Arts to curate an exhibition honoring the late Earl Simmons, also known as DMX this September. The exhibition’s title, “Look Thru My Eyes: a DMX Story” will be a part of the grand re-opening of Philipse
Manor Hall and will be the first time the friends of PMH has offered a popular history topic to their audience.
“Look Thru My Eyes: a DMX Story” is an introspective look at the life of the artist DMX, and the man Earl Simmons. Explore his triumphs and his struggles in Yonkers, from childhood to the glory days, and the tragic end. The exhibition is a time capsule that spans multiple mediums that showcase the complexities of Earl Simmons, through the eyes of friends, family, and those who lived it with him.
The exhibition will be co-curated by Ray Wilcox of Yonkers Arts with curation and creative support from Raissa Fitzgerald and Wilson Kimball of MHACY. PMH will be the first to feature a collection of never before seen images of the Yonkers icon, the places he frequented, and the millions of people his voice touched. “Look Thru My Eyes: a DMX Story” is a humanistic appreciation of what Earl Simmons, aka DMX meant to the culture, to hip hop music and to the city of Yonkers.
“The exhibition is designed to create dialogue and interpersonal conversations of what Earl the Man, and DMX the artist meant to each and every one of us. Look Thru My Eyes, puts the viewer in the position to experience the moments of DMX’s life; from Yonkers all the way to Hollywood,” states Ray Wilcox. “We all experienced ‘X’s voice and impact in different ways. I’m just trying to spark conversation pieces that connect us all based on the visual references presented.”
DMX grew up in public housing in Yonkers against the backdrop of the crack and AIDS epidemics. Urban centers like Yonkers and public housing like MHACY in the 1980’s were crumbling with few opportunities for bright, young, black men. Wilson Kimball, CEO of MHACY states, “DMX rose from those ashes. Throughout his tragically short career he was a poet, a truth teller, an artist, a musician, an actor, a writer, a father, a husband, and a son.”
Witness portraits and images from some of the most prominent photographers, like Yonkers’ based ‘celebrity & lifestyle’ photographer Shareif Ziyadat, who captured many of DMX’s key moments throughout his career. Media and graphic support to be provided by Def Jam. Fashion references, advertisements, and samples provided by Timbaland.
And much more. The exhibition also provides an opportunity for local artists to submit their best representations of DMX and what he meant to them. This call for art will expire Monday August 15th.
Earl Simmons better known as DMX (“Dark Man X”), was a Yonkers bred rapper and actor. He was the first artist to debut an album at No. 1 five times in a row on the Billboard 200 charts.Overall, DMX sold over 74 million records worldwide.DMX died on April 9, 2021, following a drug related heart attack.
“Look Thru My Eyes: a DMX Story” is brought to you by the NYS Parks Department, Friends of Philipse Manor Hall, Municipal Housing Authority, & Yonkers Arts.
Yonkers Arts was founded in 2007 by a collection of community leaders who perceived the need for an all
encompassing arts organization for a city the size of Yonkers. The founding board was composed of community leaders from across Yonkers. The mission of Yonkers Arts is to develop a strong, effective, and cooperative network of artists, cultural organizations, and members of the community to promote and encourage the arts in the City of Yonkers. For more information, please visit: www.yonkersarts.org
