A ferocious tiger has returned home at long last! Placing his exhibit up for display in the Dollye M.E. Robinson Building art gallery, renowned artist, Felandus Thames, challenges many to expand their horizons through display.
Thames, a Jackson State University alumuns, returned to his school origins with the “Stuck between ‘lizabeth taylor’s’ toes” art exhibit. While visiting the collection, the most common question asked is: Why did he choose this name?
“The title has dual meaning,” said Thames’ best friend and English JSU professor, C. Liegh McInnis. “The collection is addressing the desperate and dysfunctional state of much of black America.”
Using Amiri Baraka’s poem “Black Art” as reference, McInnis believes by using such vivid and confrontational lines/images, the collection is asserting that black art must be unflinching in its critique of the black condition.
The collection holds true to his words. Most, if not all, displays within the exhibit each bear unique names. These names strike home with common culture-sensitive words among the African-American minority and such as “N***a” and the unique “Conception of a Succubus”. They also bear multiple meanings as well. Among the works, many find themselves questioning the meaning behind not just the art, but the titles as well.
Devon Stepney, a computer engineering major from Jackson, Miss., believes that there is a double meaning behind it all.
“The display is made for us to challenge ourselves and think out of the box more so than we would. Therefore, when looking at each display, some may see just a shoe with shoestrings while others may see a web, opening up numerous possibilities,” said Stepney.
Stepney referenced one of the displays in which one shoe’s lace crafts into one large web on the wall. He believes that webs serve as doors. These doors are in comparison to the many opportunities we present ourselves to with life.
Thames believes that by challenging the mind to these possibilities, students can learn their craft. This “craft” refers to their goals within life. Do they want to be an artist, writer, or journalist? In order for them to conceive the thought, they have to learn more about it.
McInnis stated that many attempt to develop their individual voices without learning the basics of their craft. As such, their work is often ineffective or less effective than it could be if the craftsmanship were better. Additionally, one cannot be “original” if one does not know the history of one’s craft.
McInnis stated that when he was a student at Jackson State and what it was like for one of his inspirations to have made the journey back home.
“When I was in college, Charlie R. Braxton was working as a writer, being published in the journals, magazines, and anthologies in which I hoped to be published” said McInnis. “Knowing that he was from JSU and also from a small town like me gave me hope and inspiration“.
“Stuck between ‘lizabeth taylor’s’ toes” will remain on display until Nov. 6, 2014.
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