The Game We Play is a new series from The Artist Oliver James. A play on “The Debt You Owe,” a previous series about national wealth built on native land, this new series aims to put the focus on Black towns, cities, and communities that disappeared overnight. An attempt at celebrating what was created, but also a realization of a current reality in their absence. While there isn’t a monopoly on gentrification, it’s a game that African Americans know all too well. A game of cultural, mental, and physical survival on the move.

This exhibit is on view in our Patricia Barland Gallery from February 25 to April 7, 2026.