I’ve been taking an Art History class on African Art taught by Professor Nikki Greene. It is definitely one of my favorite classes that I have taken at Wellesley. Although I am not an Art History major, I love art. I have always wanted to formally study it, but never really found the time. I am very glad that I took this class. So glad in fact, that I will be taking another class with professor Greene next semester.
This past Saturday, we visited the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston to see the new Nubian Art exhibit. We also walked through the African Art galleries. In those galleries, we were able to see the objects we have been studying in class; they were all there right in front of us. We were also able to apply some of the knowledge from the class to our little museum tour. I was able to identify which pieces belonged to what parts of Africa. Below are some pictures that I took of the Nubia art exhibit which I plan on revisiting in the future.
Often it is hard for people who do not have a background in art to recognize a piece and appreciate it. I have spent a considerable amount of time in museums and this is true for me all well. It is especially true if the object is not well-known. Taking this class has offered me a new way of viewing not just art, but life in general. Africans, and therefore African Art, have not had their history or talents appreciated in the way that Europeans have. Being aware of this power dynamic, I took this art history class as a way to decolonize the way that I have been taught art and push me to think further about art’s place in our society. There are many classes like that at Wellesley. I may even do a little post on it in the future entitled “My Favorite Classes at Wellesley”.
until next time,
Laïssa