You Can't Pray a Lie, 2023
Category: Downtown Reframed
Address
803 Fannin St
Houston, TX 77002
Details
Artist: Irene Antonia Diane Reece
Made in collaboration with members of 4th Ward Freedmen's Town, this work is an act of remembering, celebrating, and preserving.
One of Houston's most significant Black historical neighborhoods, Freedmen's Town serves as the foundation for a series built from oral histories and family archives.
Intimate and deeply rooted, the work honors the lives and legacies of community members Albert Ceasar, Henrietta Robinson, and Linda Preston Johnson, whose personal archives and stories form the heart of the piece.
About the Artist
Irene Reece’s practice is rooted in personal and collective healing, using photography, archives, and objects to explore layered narratives of identity and memory. Her work centers on the African diaspora, social justice, family histories, and community, while challenging the white gaze and honoring Black Southern experiences. Drawing from personal archives, cultural histories, and community knowledge, her practice reflects the complexity of Black identity and a commitment to preservation, reflection, and continued learning.
