“Where Joy Lives” explored the transformative power of joy in the face of anti-Blackness, systemic oppression, and the weight of countless -isms. Through printed archival photos and new painted works, it presented 13 kinds of joy; pleasure, amusement, contentment, excitement, relief, wonder, ecstasy, bliss, exultation elevation, gratitude, rejoicing, delight

Joy can serve as a healing salve, offering an alternative vision and pathway toward resilience and freedom. In this residency at The Projects, artist Elizabeth Burden created a space to reflect on and engage in the different kinds of joy, amplifying them as acts of rebellion.

In moments where we are feeling the weight of the world, we can create our own spaces for lightness: From bliss to ecstasy, joy’s many manifestations remind us that our spirits cannot be confined. Joy is not simply an emotion but a collective practice of liberation.