Three exhibits opening on Monday, Jan. 14, at Hamilton's Emerson Gallery explore key moments in African-American history through photography and political satire. Two photography exhibits are comprised of images of Underground Railroad sites and Civil War venues at which black soldiers fought. They were photographed by Hamilton alumnus and Haverford College professor William Earle Williams '73. The third exhibit explores the reality of life for many African-Americans in post-Civil War America as seen through images of political cartoonist Thomas Nast (1840-1902). The wood engravings are part of religious studies professor Jay Williams' collection. The three shows are open through April 13 and are free and open to the public.
"Unsung Heroes: African-American Soldiers in the Civil War" calls attention to the sites made special through black soldiers' contributions. It features more than 40 black-and-white photographs by William Earle Williams of battle sites in both the North and South, some historically renowned and some largely undiscovered. Williams has been working on this series for more than 10 years.
According to Williams, "These sites dispel the myth that blacks were given their citizenship and rights after the Civil War without having fought for and earned them." He photographs sites where black soldiers trained, fought, or lost their lives. This exhibition was produced by Williams and Light Work, a non profit photography center in Syracuse, and is traveling nationally.
An opening for "Unsung Heroes" will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 12, beginning with a presentation, "Celebrating Unsung Heroes and Unsung Places in Photographs," by William E. Williams at 4:15 p.m. in the Kennedy Science Auditorium (Room G02) followed by a reception in the gallery. All events associated with all three shows are free and open to the public.
In association with this exhibit, the film "Glory," which first brought the role of African American soldiers in the Civil War to the public's attention, will be shown on Thursday, Feb. 7, at 4:30 p.m. in Kirner Johnson Auditorium in the Kirner Johnson Building.
For more than 20 years, Williams has also been photographing Underground Railroad sites across the United States. During a residency at Light Work, Williams became especially interested in the rich history of the Underground Railroad in Central New York. "Uncovering the Path to Freedom" features 30 black-and-white photographs by Williams selected especially for exhibition at the Emerson Gallery. The photographs offer a new look at the history of the Underground Railroad and its impact on Central New York and Hamilton College.
A highlight of the exhibition includes a group of letters, photographs and sculpture that tell the story of the abolitionist movement at Hamilton College and the surrounding region. Three Hamilton students, Katerina Adair '10, Ilana Carlin '09, and Sophia Franck '08 worked with Williams, Associate Professor of Art Deborah Pokinski and Associate Director and Curator Susanna White to provide historic context for the photographs.
For more than 20 years, Williams has also been photographing Underground Railroad sites across the United States. During a residency at Light Work, Williams became especially interested in the rich history of the Underground Railroad in Central New York. "Uncovering the Path to Freedom" features 30 black-and-white photographs by Williams selected especially for exhibition at the Emerson Gallery. The photographs offer a new look at the history of the Underground Railroad and its impact on Central New York and Hamilton College.
A highlight of the exhibition includes a group of letters, photographs and sculpture that tell the story of the abolitionist movement at Hamilton College and the surrounding region. Three Hamilton students, Katerina Adair '10, Ilana Carlin '09, and Sophia Franck '08 worked with Williams, Associate Professor of Art Deborah Pokinski and Associate Director and Curator Susanna White to provide historic context for the photographs.
An opening, which is free and to which the public is invited, will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 30. It will begin with a presentation by William Earle Williams and the exhibit curators from 4:15 - 5 p.m. in the gallery. A reception will follow from 5 - 6 p.m.
Williams received his undergraduate degree at Hamilton College in 1973 in history and a master's degree in fine arts at Yale University. He has been a professor of fine arts at Haverford College since 1978 and a curator of photography since 1979.
"Emancipation and Denigration," 16 wood engravings by Thomas Nast, explores the reality of life for many African Americans in post-Civil War America as seen through the eyes of political cartoonist Thomas Nast (1840-1902). Creator of such popular images as Uncle Sam and Santa Claus, Nast was one of the primary spokesmen for Abraham Lincoln, emancipation and the end of the oppression of blacks. After the Civil War and passage of the 13th Amendment, Nast was quick to observe that new forms of official and unofficial oppression replaced slavery. The Ku Klux Klan, which had both southern and northern supporters, viciously suppressed black freedoms. Lynchings and other atrocities occurred throughout the South. In the North discrimination was more subtle.
While many newsmen overlooked racial oppression if it did not affect them, Nast trumpeted what he saw as evil. His large and highly visible cartoons for Harper's Weekly, which otherwise took a neutral position, attacked racial discrimination and violence.
Williams received his undergraduate degree at Hamilton College in 1973 in history and a master's degree in fine arts at Yale University. He has been a professor of fine arts at Haverford College since 1978 and a curator of photography since 1979.
"Emancipation and Denigration," 16 wood engravings by Thomas Nast, explores the reality of life for many African Americans in post-Civil War America as seen through the eyes of political cartoonist Thomas Nast (1840-1902). Creator of such popular images as Uncle Sam and Santa Claus, Nast was one of the primary spokesmen for Abraham Lincoln, emancipation and the end of the oppression of blacks. After the Civil War and passage of the 13th Amendment, Nast was quick to observe that new forms of official and unofficial oppression replaced slavery. The Ku Klux Klan, which had both southern and northern supporters, viciously suppressed black freedoms. Lynchings and other atrocities occurred throughout the South. In the North discrimination was more subtle.
While many newsmen overlooked racial oppression if it did not affect them, Nast trumpeted what he saw as evil. His large and highly visible cartoons for Harper's Weekly, which otherwise took a neutral position, attacked racial discrimination and violence.
Jay G. Williams '54, the Walcott-Bartlett Professor of Religious Studies, will present "Thomas Nast's Vision of America" on Wednesday, Feb. 20, at 4:15 p.m. in the gallery. A reception will follow his presentation. This exhibition includes an audio tour produced by Nina Platt '10.
A musical performance by James "Sparky" and Rhonda Rucker will be held on Thursday, March 6, at 4 p.m. in the Fillius Events Barn titled "Heroes and Hard Times: A Black Folk History."
The Emerson Gallery is located on the Hamilton campus in Clinton, New York, in the Christian A. Johnson Hall, directly behind the Chapel. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. For information on parking and wheelchair accessibility, contact the gallery at 315-859-4396 or at the gallery's Web site, www.hamilton.edu/gallery.
A musical performance by James "Sparky" and Rhonda Rucker will be held on Thursday, March 6, at 4 p.m. in the Fillius Events Barn titled "Heroes and Hard Times: A Black Folk History."
The Emerson Gallery is located on the Hamilton campus in Clinton, New York, in the Christian A. Johnson Hall, directly behind the Chapel. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. For information on parking and wheelchair accessibility, contact the gallery at 315-859-4396 or at the gallery's Web site, www.hamilton.edu/gallery.
