The Smith-Brown Memorial Union is a place where one is most likely to find masses of people playing video games, bowling or dining in the food court. Rarely would one expect that just across from the computer lab to be engaged in the pleasantries of music and art. This month students can expect that and much more.
Perry Brooks is displaying his talent in an art exhibition that began November 7, in the Southern Heritage Art Gallery in the Smith-Brown Memorial Union.
“I just started back drawing in ’99,” said the 1997 Southern University alum. He then formed the “No Good Arts Society” along with two other Southern graduates. It was one of his fellow members who inspired Brooks to start drawing again.
Twelve pieces are displayed at the exhibition. Of those showcased is his first work, Strange Fruit 2000. This intense piece of art depicts four blood dripping African-American infants hanging from tree branches.
“This picture is basically saying that not much has changed in America, and that black men still die everyday,” said Brooks.
Also on display is Ghetto Gestapo, a painting of three policemen who are being represented by pigs. The subjects have a black man lying on the ground with his arms spread. In the same painting, one can see the man’s girlfriend being molested by one of the “pigs.”
“This portrays the rape or misuse of the black man and woman. People sometimes forget about the misuse of the black woman,” said Brooks.
Other pieces that are on display include Black Madonna and an interpretation of Pam Grier in her role as Jackie Brown.
When asked how his ideas for drawings come about, he replied, “I’ll just hear or see something that will evoke an idea and then I’ll start drawing,” said Brooks.
The exhibit will be on display until November 30 in the Union from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m
