I have always wanted my art to service my people—to reflect us, to relate to us, to stimulate us, to make us aware of our potential.— Elizabeth Catlett
Recently, as part of the Delaware Humanities, there was a board meeting we had located in the Biggs Museum. On our break, I wandered up to the top floor where an exhibit of Elizabeth Catlett was on display. I will be honest, I knew little to nothing previously about the artists as Elizabeth Catlett, but was I to be surprised.
The Biggs Museum offers the perfect environment to reflect and take everything in that you see and not be distracted by anything else, which actually, is quite soothing and offers an escape. I say this as everytime you go to social media there is this sense of doom, hurry up and churn out another piece to contribute to the larger collective, a rush to push life ahead instead of pull back and soak alot of details we often take for granted in, as well as a sense of always coming from a dark place or place of negativity. I notice this most on platforms such as Facebook and quick scenes represented on TikTok
As a result of this onrush of just STUFF, I have found much more relief in being a home body and the quiet it provides in contrast to the noice others discover in social media and the world itself. I felt this sense of solace and peace at the Biggs Museum and the discoveries I made of Elizabeth Catlett were powerful. One of the most startling discoveries were discovering her residence in Mexico and studying at UNAM. I wish I would have discovered her while I was living in Mexico City, but am grateful I made this discovery as it churned up so many memories that impact me today.
Additionally, the sculpture and art from Elizabeth Catlett draw you in, and the vividness literally reaches out and pulls you into what is in front of you. Finding the quiet and solitude the Biggs Museum offers allows you to truly contemplate and appreciate this exhibit. Seeing the impact of her student Samella Lewis and seeing how the exhibit can extend to younger generations with. space for them to contribute their thoughts- it seems to make a complete circle of how art, expression, and reaching all ages in the right environment can uplift and provide individuals with a sense of promise.
Seeing the various lithographs created, you almost want to learn this art to see what is possible. When an artist’s work is there to encourage you to contemplate but to also contemplate, that is an exhibit worth its weight in time. Yet, I feel more time needs to be set aside to allow ourselves to contemplate, listen, and to be able to question and answer so much that surrounds us in a world where so few experiences allow us to do so.
Definitely make a point to visit Biggs Museum and this exhibit before it leaves in June. This is a powerful exhibit that is worth the time and space you will allow yourself to experience!
PAVEing a Blog 