Sculpture by African artist belongs in a museum, not in Dewey’s

If you have been to Dewey’s lounge, you might have noticed the “strange” sculpture in the back corner representing a Black man and a woman. Under no circumstances, should a student feel racially under attack on campus. Considering the degrading ways Black bodies have been depicted throughout history, the University of Alberta has the responsibility to be mindful and conscious of how a sculpture depicting a specific racialized group is being portrayed.

The sculpture in Dewey’s (called “Sky and Earth”) was originally a gift to the Commonwealth Symposium Committee (1978) who in turn gave it to the U of A Graduate Students’ Association. It was later added to the U of A Art Collection. The work was created by Berlings Lengani Kaunda (born in Malawi, received degrees in Uganda and in Illinois). This sculpture has been in Dewey’s for years as its origins are connected to the Graduate Students’ Association. Over the years, it has been asked to rotate the sculpture based on opinions from the public about which portion of the work is deemed most inappropriate at the time. “Sky and Earth” is essentially a work depicting fertility.

So what are the concerns?

The University of Alberta has no plaque explaining the story behind the sculpture. There is no mention of the artist either. Such a provocative sculpture can definitely trigger a Black student and can have someone think that the U of A is a racist institution. A plaque mentioning that the artist is in fact, African makes a huge difference although it does not make the sentiments felt by the Black students who feel it should be removed any less legitimate.

What is it doing in Dewey’s, a pub where students get drunk and are prompted to say racist slurs?

Dewey’s is far from being a Black hub and a sculpture that specifically portrays Black people has no place there. This statue feeds into the stereotype of “hypersexualized” Black bodies: a stereotype used to claim that Black people were highly immoral and therefore a claim used to justify their slavery.

Why is the Black woman hidden and facing the wall? Unless you go behind the stage, you can only see her behind. Throughout history, Black women’s bodies have been the sight of disgust and mockery. By having her face the wall, her body is deemed not valuable or “worthy” to face the public.

By looking at this statue, one can interpret it as a man masturbating on a woman’s head. Dewey’s is not a site made for pornography, but if it was, why would Black people be the only ones portrayed? Again, this feeds into the hypersexualization of Black bodies.

One of the excuses given against removing the statue from Dewey’s is that the sculpture can no longer be removed due to the fact that the building has been renovated and the statue can no longer fit through the doors. Mind you, what is at stake here is not the bar’s building but the morale of the Black students on campus.

So what should be done?

Proper labelling, such as a plaque explaining the background history of the statue alongside the picture of the artist. The sculpture should also be relocated to an appropriate setting (i.e. a museum).