Art professor Harold S. Dorsey presented his sculpture, “Homage to African Aesthetics,” Wednesday, Feb. 28, at the Pardus Caf.
Dorsey said The sculpture was inspired by his study of anthropology at Northwestern University in Chicago. Dorsey said, “I began as an aesthetic Pan-Africanst and realized that African aesthetics influenced western civilizations from the Greeks, Romans, to the Italian renaissance.”
The sculpture began eight to 10 years ago and finally was cast in bronze this year by utilizing the lost-wax process. It was created to “give respect to the powerful influence of African aesthetics on western aesthetics,” said Dorsey.
Dr. Brian White, a political science professor said, “I think that it is good because it highlights the beauty of black history and culture. I see the onk on the statute that represents the preservation of life and how that’s manifested through the idea of knowledge and respect for culture.”
Dorsey hopes that the viewing will impact students and help them gain better insight into the civilizing aspect of black aesthetics and how it influenced other cultures.