A new exhibit opens at the VMFA on Saturday, Nov. 18. "Dawoud Bey: Elegy" features works of film and photography by the renowned contemporary artist.

An exploration of the early experiences of enslaved people America, the exhibition features three photo series and two film installations. Two of the works were created in Richmond. removing photos for secondary

Named for a line from “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the photo series "Stony the Road"centers around the Richmond Slave Trail, which traces the path of enslaved people brought through Richmond. The film "350,000" was produced in collaboration with local production companies, choreographers, musicians, and dancers.

At the media preview for the exhibit, Bey spoke about his work as his subjective take on history, visualized. Bey views his work as a means of conflating past and present, rather than a documentation of historical events.

Dawoud Bey spoke at the media preview of the exhibition. | Photo by RICtoday

Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for ages 65+, $8 for youth and college students, and free for members.