Noted artist and writer Howardena Pindell will discuss the evolution of her work as part of the University’s Paul R. Jones Lecture Series on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Room 222 of Lloyd Hall, according to a UA news release. She will present “Figurative Non-Figurative: A Chronological View of the Work of Howardena Pindell,” which will be jointly sponsored by the department of American studies and department of art and art history.“The Paul R. Jones Collection of American Art was donated to UA by the late Paul R. Jones,” Collections Manager Miriam Norris said. “Mr. Jones was a native of Bessemer and was formerly denied entrance into UA’s Law School in 1949.
“The choice to donate a large portion of his collection to UA shows his capacity of forgiveness and his generosity to future generations.”
Associate Professor of American Studies Stacy Morgan said Pindell not only has the largest collection of African-American art in the United States, but she has also tackled social issues. “She is an important artist. Her work is not taught here, so the exposure is good,” Morgan said. “I think there are very few artists that do what she does.”
Norris said this lecture is a learning tool to expose students and the local community to the powerful impact of visual art.
“I think it’s important for students to see the career diversity of such an active artist,” she said. Morgan said because Pindell’s work is so abstract, it’s great that the artist herself will be able to give her commentary in person.
“I think it’s always useful for the artists to explain their work first hand for people who don’t get abstraction,” he said.
Morgan and Norris said this collection should appeal to many people and be eye opening to others.
“She’s an artist who might interest a wide range of people,” Morgan said. “She was involved in the Women’s Movement, racial equality and she writes essays about art and social issues.”
