Stedman Gallery at Rutgers Camden

Presently featured at the Stedman Gallery at Rutgers in Camden is `A History Deconstructed` exhibit. This exhibit features photography done by African American artists, which aims to alter the conceptions that race and gender play in our society. The full title of this exhibit is titled `Reflections in Black: Smithsonian African American Photography`, and it will be shown in Camden until March 3rd. Approximately fifty pieces of art are displayed, and each one holds its own unique perspective. The first piece of artwork one notices upon entering the Stedman Gallery is a self-portrait by the artist Carla Williams. The artist has been doing self-portraits for the last sixteen years. Carla Williams` “A Virtuous Negro`s Head, from the How to Read Character Series” is a powerful yet subtle work. In this self-portrait the artist has a dignified yet sad look in her eyes. Only the shoulders and head are visible yet one gets the feeling that the artist is withdrawn. She comes through as a soulful person whose waters run deep.

Renee Cox`s “Burning” is quite different than Carla Williams` work yet also leaves a lasting impression. “Burning” is a large photograph of Carla Williams in knee-high leather boots and a colorful superhero type of outfit. The artist is standing in front of what appears to be a burning house. This photograph by Renee Cox is one of a woman of strength. The woman in “Burning” makes Wonder Woman look like Betty White from `The Golden Girls`. This colorful and vibrant artwork appears to want to leap out off the wall and kick in the teeth of anyone up to no good.

Not all of the photographs featured in `A History Deconstructed` are self-portraits. John Pinderhughes does photographs of landscapes of the Atlantic coastline. His “Untitled, Landscape” is a peaceful enough photograph of Mother Nature herself. Albert Chong`s “Untitled, (flower petals surrounds picture of seated woman)” is a work of art which reflects stillness, serenity, and a sense of calm. Albert Chong is an artist who was born in Jamaica of African and Chinese ancestry. Amalia Amaki`s work was done on what appeared to be small cotton quilts. Her artwork was very simple yet elegant. My favorite work of art was Keba Armand Konte`s “Phoenix Child”. This was a photomontage on wood. In the center was the photo of a small child holding onto a street sign. Below the child a photograph of a close-knit neighborhood was shown. Though Keba Armand Konte grew up in Oakland, California, “Phoenix Child” reminded me a little of my own neighborhood growing up in southern NJ.

The “Reflections In Black” booklet, which is available at the Stedman Gallery, states that “the artists in this section seek to reveal and weaken the power that rigid conceptions of race and gender hold in our own culture”. “A History Deconstructed” is a powerful exhibit that makes one more aware of the different cultures that reside in the United States. The artists address such topics as family relationships, employment, self-exploration, prejudice, spiritualism, and many other themes. The Stedman Gallery is located on the campus of Rutgers Camden near the Ben Franklin Bridge. Admission is free. This exhibit is something that should be checked out by men and women of all colors, religions, and economic backgrounds.

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Author: Jason A. Love