Home is where the Art is: Art Exhibition Showcase

Have you ever visited an art gallery just to admire art of many forms or just to find an inspiration for your own?
Professor, curator and Southern University Alum Randell Henry created just that for students of SU, faculty and many admirers of art by hosting a collective display of art provided by a few professors that are lecturing or have taught at the University.
This semester Henry, along with others, set up the art gallery held in Frank Hayden Hall on September 1st and will stay on display until October 6. The exhibition’s theme is “Artists’ Use of the Visual Language” and features five professors such as the late John Paul Hubbard, Robert Cox, Eugene Daws Wade, Earnsteen Spencer and of course, Henry.
“I was able to look at the works of art and the size of images then make a selection of what thought would work together to make a cohesive exhibition. It worked out perfectly as far the works that were chosen. One more would have been too many,” humored Henry.
In the SU Visual Arts Faculty Exhibition, there are 21 works of art displayed and each one tells a story. Some of the works consists of paintings, drawings, mixed media and some are made digitally. Most of Henry’s works of art are made in the form of collages of different cloth like material. He described his display as rather festive in an abstract form with a variety of colors.
“I love Mardi Gras, the actions, the flyers, visions, and colors I feel when I’m at a parade and activities. Especially when I’m in New Orleans because its so colorful and that’s what my art represents,” said Henry.
On the other hand, Wade says his art reflects a complex but rather simple history of the African American roots.
In one of Wade’s displays, it depicted an image of order or as it is called, hierarchic, that shows the order in a typical household of an African family with the father as the head, the mother next in line and children that follow who will one day branch to their own after the passing down of wisdom from their parents. Wade also said that his art resembles the unification in the African tradition and commented that in America, some children grow up with fathers in their lives.
“It seems like society wants to break that up. Everybody wants to do their own thing,” said Wade.
Wade stresses that it is important not only for the students of the University but everyone to know their heritage and take the time go deep in investigating their ancestors’ history. Wade says he is all about heritage and appreciates knowing who he is and where he came from.
Professor Spencer says that the beauty of nature inspires her art. Spencer’s initial recognition and inspiration started back in third grade of North Scottlandville Elementary where her clay fish was featured on the Buckskin Bill show, which was popular show produced in Baton Rouge. Ever since then, Spencer continued on with art and now teaches several classes as a professor at the University. When describing her style of art, Spencer responded by saying her art is non-representational and abstract, meaning her works don’t resemble any objects.
“I like to produce art that say and mean something which is easy for the viewer to read and understand,” said Spencer.
Spencer described one piece of art that showed the feminine aspects of life which are infused with the beauty of nature. Spencer spoke about how women are a vital part in a man’s life. She referred to the presidential candidate Hillary Clinton when saying, “Although men can carry out the task, they are inspired by women.”
According to Henry, the exhibition received a satisfactory amounts of students who came to the art gallery, such as Freshman Psychology major Khadjag Ahmad of Dayton, Ohio. Ahmad talked about how one of Professor Cox’s displays visually spoke to her.
“It depicts black lives matter and its’ important because there is a lot going on, not just in Louisiana but around the world. It’s something that’s well represented,” said Ahmad.
Junior Criminal Justice major, Derrion Moore of Zachary, Louisiana described his respect for two arts on display by Wade and Cox. Moore says, “I like the two art displays of the black women holding their babies,” “It shows the strength of black women. My mom was a single mother who played both roles as my mother and father so these arts show how strong black women can be.”
According to Henry, there will be more exhibitions to come including one which students will be allowed to partake in.
Henry encourages students to work hard and be innovative with their artworks until the date for the student exhibition is set.