War, History, and Memory in the Life and Works of Jacob Lawrence and Horace Pippin
Lecture
Taking inspiration from the lives and works of Jacob Lawrence and Horace Pippin, Dr. Celeste-Marie Bernier traces the experiences of World War I African American combat soldiers alongside the social, political, and historical realities confronting African American women, men and children.
Event Details
Taking inspiration from the lives and works of Jacob Lawrence and Horace Pippin, Dr. Celeste-Marie Bernier traces the experiences of World War I African American combat soldiers alongside the social, political, and historical realities confronting African American women, men and children living in the no man’s land of early 20th century America. Coming to terms with Pippin’s powerful conviction, “I cannot forget suffering and I will not forget sunset,” Dr. Bernier examines these artists’ paintings and drawings to shed new light on Lawrence’s declaration, “Struggle is a beautiful thing.” Dr. Bernier is Professor of African American Studies at the University of Nottingham, UK, and Associate Editor of the Journal of American Studies.