Rainier has two pieces featured in “Skilled Labor: Black Realism in Detroit.” His piece “Blessed Quietness (Nannie)” is oil on canvas. This is a portrait of Rainer’s maternal grandmother. He said it was special to him to be able to paint a loved one and to honor his grandmother. His grandmother was able to see the painting for the first time at the opening of the exhibition. The other piece of Rainer’s in the exhibition is titled “Archenemy No. 2,” charcoal on paper. “The piece is essentially about recognizing one’s own power and agency over one’s own life,” Rainer said. Rainer thanked Cranbrook and the curators of the exhibition for the opportunity. He said it was an exciting experience to know everyone in the exhibition personally as colleagues, friends and mentors. “I think it’s really exciting to highlight Detroit artists,” Mott said. “Something unique to where we live is this kind of incredible skill and high concept that’s coming from those artists, so I want everyone to learn more about the city where they live.” Mott and internationally acclaimed artist Mario Moore co-curated “Skilled Labor: Black Realism in Detroit.” Artists in the exhibition include Christopher Batten, Taurus Burns, Cydney Camp, Ijania Cortez, Cailyn Dawson, Bakpak Durden, Conrad Egyir, Jonathan Harris, Sydney G. James, Gregory Johnson, Richard Lewis, Hubert Massey, Mario Moore, Sabrina Nelson, Patrick Quarm, Joshua Rainer, Jamea Richmond-Edwards, Senghor Reid, Rashaun Rucker and Tylonn J. Sawyer. Admission is free on Thursdays, and it is open until 8 p.m.

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