Visual and Written Work from Jackson State University
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Viewing Metropolis
by Glendon Jeffery
When it comes to our future and technology, how far can we go before we forget our own humanity? This is the main question that came to my mind after watching Metropolis, a silent science fiction film directed by Fritz Lang in 1927…
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The Legacy of Gil Scott Heron
by Lloyd O’Bryant
Pioneering artist Gil Scott-Heron frequently used his music, poetry, and spoken word to critique societal norms and question the status quo, particularly as it related to the experiences of Black Americans…
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Gordon Parks: Department Store
by Matthew Candis
In the photograph Department Store by Gordon Parks, we are presented with a snapshot of everyday life in segregated Alabama. The image indicates that the institution of segregation did not halt the spiritual quest for beauty, dignity, and grace for the people who endured it…
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Bauhaus Films
by Byron Johnson
The Bauhaus was a transformative art and design movement founded in Weimar, Germany, in 1919 by architect Walter Gropius. The movement aimed to foster collaboration between teachers and students through design studios and workshops, breaking traditional boundaries between fine and applied arts…
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Edmonia Lewis and the Struggle for Recognition
by Heather Crump
In 1871, The Art Review, a nineteenth-century American art journal, published an article titled “What American Women Are Doing in Sculpture,” which featured American women sculptors, such as Mary Edmonia Lewis (Wildfire)…
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African American Women: Navigating Race and Gender
by Randi Smith
This essay explores Black women across the Harlem Renaissance, WWII, the Black Arts Movement, and the present day who found it necessary to pursue their artistic endeavors despite the challenges they faced…
The South Got Somethin’ To Say
In Spring 2024, Jackson State University’s Curatorial Seminar Class curated an exhibition at the Mississippi Arts Center. From crafting the gallery application to the call for submissions, students developed an exhibit that sought to represent their perspectives on life in the South. The South Got Somethin’ To Say opened on August 2nd, 2024.
The South, with its rich tapestry of history, culture, and art, has often been viewed through the prism of stereotypes and misconceptions. This exhibition, titled The South Got Something to Say, seeks to challenge and reshape these narratives by presenting voices and experiences of the South. From explorations of community gatherings to intimate moments, this exhibition explores the influence of music, dance, storytelling, and the region’s distinctive aesthetics and landmarks. Through these images, we hope to convey the vibrant, complex, and enduring spirit of the South, as seen through the eyes of those who call it home.
