Global Perspective
The New Kerckhoff Art Gallery exhibit looks at people of African
descent around the world, capturing the spirit of the continent’s
contribution to international culture
By Cheryl Klein
Daily Bruin Contributor
A young girl named Gide cups a handful of breadcrumbs in the
palm of her hand and looks up at the camera with large brown eyes.
Fluffy, dark hair crowns her head and red birds are poised
mid-flight in the pattern of her traditional African clothing.
Gide lives in South Carolina, but is part of what photographer
Ron Wilkins calls the "Global African Family." Her portrait is one
of his favorites.
"She’s being raised in a way that she’ll be very knowledgeable
about who she is," he says with satisfaction, "and about who her
people are, and who the leaders of her community are. (The
photograph) is very popular and it’s in a lot of homes right
now."
It can also be found in the Kerckhoff Art Gallery, along with
other of Wilkins’ works, between Feb. 20 and March 1. The exhibit,
"Faces of Africa and Africans in the Americas," features
photographs of people of African descent from various countries and
continents.
"This shows that black people are not just in Africa and the
United States, but all over the world," says Natasha Fuller,
program coordinator for UCLA’s African Student Union. "We’re a
universal people."
As is appropriate to celebrate Black History Month, the exhibit
conveys positive images through an array of color, vibrancy and
smiling faces. Wilkins feels this reflects strength and pride in
the vast accomplishments of ancient Africa.
"Africa was once the center of the world," says Wilkins. "It was
the mother of civilization, it was the center of learning. It was a
place where people enjoyed great prosperity."
Yet Wilkins hastens to point out the problems that the African
community faces today.
"Black people, on a world view, are not faring that well,"
Wilkins says. "We could be much better off. We should be much
better off."
Wilkins has worked toward this goal much of his life. In the
’60s and ’70s, he was involved in youth and civil rights movements
via organizations such as the Student Nonviolent Coordinating
Committee. He has worked in radio broadcasting and now advises the
African and Latino Youth Summit.
Fuller feels that students will relate to Wilkins’ struggles and
triumphs.
"I think that the legacy of the civil rights movement is still
alive today," she says, citing issues such as affirmative action,
Proposition 187 and police abuse.
Wilkins mentions more global, but equally controversial problems
facing the African community. He speaks, for example, of the plight
of Mexico’s small, poverty-stricken black population, and of young
Americans divided by gangs.
He hopes that the lens of his camera will bring into clear focus
the oft-ignored accomplishments of Africans in the past and
present. Wilkins’ visits to foreign lands offered the photographer
much inspiration.
"Slavery was ended (in Mexico) in 1829, more than a quarter of a
century before it was outlawed in the United States. That leaves
something for this country to think about," Wilkins says. "Mexico’s
sixth president … was black. Many of the generals that fought in
the 11-year war to gain independence from Spain were black as
well."
Wilkins also used his photographic skills to capture the
national independence celebration in Ghana, a progressive African
state. Though he photographed President Jerry Rawlings, and has
taken pictures of other political leaders including Nelson Mandela,
the spirit often comes through the strongest in pictures of common
citizens.
One shot shows a group of boys in Namibia, gathered to raise
their country’s flag. Three boys in the center form a pyramid with
their bodies, standing straight and tall and, like all the members
of the crowd, wears the national hues of red, blue and green.
"It just shows how bonded they are to national spirit and to the
colors they wear," Wilkins explains.
Even in countries such as Cuba and Libya, where the governments
are hostile to the United States, Wilkins attempts to bring a touch
of humanity into the picture by offering glimpses of local people
going about their everyday lives.
"I like how he captures people and people’s expressions," says
Jonathan Molvick, the Kerckhoff Gallery’s director. Though he
struggles to pinpoint a favorite photo, he says, "I think students
will like the pictures of children and I think they’ll be intrigued
by the political leaders."
Pictures range from candid to posed, and subject matter includes
everything from an old woman in the doorway of a hut made of
sticks, to a group of fraternity brothers in military-style stance,
to giggling kids crowded on a porch step. But they are united by
their race and by their emotions.
Says Wilkins, "I like to show the human faces and that people
are loving, and are caring, and are human beings."
ART: "Faces of Africa and Africa in the Americas," photographs
by Ron Wilkins. At the Kerckhoff Art Gallery through March 1. For
more info, call (310) 825-6564.
FRED HE/Daily Bruin
"To Africa by Way of Mexico" No. 206. Corralero, Oaxaca, Mexico,
August 1995.
CHARLES KUO
"Untitled" #179. Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, October 1990.
Comments to webmaster@db.asucla.ucla.edu