Between January 14 and April 10, 1994 the New Museum presented the two part exhibition “Bad Girls.” Organized by Marcia Tucker, “Bad Girls Part I” ran from January 14 to February 27, 1994, while “Bad Girls Part II” ran from March 5 to April 10, 1994. Each exhibition featured a video program organized by guest curator Cheryl Dunye. An independent sister exhibition titled “Bad Girls West” was organized by guest curator Marcia Tanner and ran concurrently at the UCLA Wight Gallery in Los Angeles from January 25 to March 20, 1994.

Presented as part of the “Bad Girls” exhibition, Xenobia Bailey’s Sistah Paradise’s Revival Tent is a mixed-media installation in the Mercer Street Window. Bailey’s background in ethnomusicology and industrial design is reflected in a multi-colored, hand-crocheted tent that captures the exuberant spirit of the gospel revivals of the artist’s youth.