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NCCU Year
in Pictures

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Race: exploitation and exploration
By Fatimah McAllister and Rainah Simmons
Campus Echo

Segregated psyche, are you black or white? Do people judge you solely based on the color of your skin? Unfortunately, minorities face these questions often.

William Waters III and Jonathan Patton, two art majors, explored their feelings on the subject through their passion — art.
 

Crisp and Juicy, William Waters III Oil on canvas

As part of an independent study program, the two students collaborated to create an exhibit that focuses on the realities of racism and stereotypes in our country. 

Patton and Waters explore these questions: Should we have to explain who and what we are to those who don’t understand? Should these differences define what type of person we are?

The exhibit is housed on the first floor of the Art Building. As viewers enter  

Jen, William Waters. Crayon lithograph

Patton said that they wanted to take their viewers out of their reality and bring them into theirs. “Not just to see the exhibit, but feel it,” he says. 

And it’s something the artists pull off splendidly by including the room as 
part of the exhibit. The ceiling — covered in patriotic red, white and 
 
 

Protect Your Soul, Jonathan Patton Installation

blue — hits viewers with a sarcastic take on patriotism. Sarcastic because  the walls contain paintings, drawings and sculptures that display the ignorance that perpetuates animosity between the races. 

Some of the art that contains religious and economic themes. There is a small shrine under a spray painting of Elvis on a Honda hood. Viewers can even participate and leave tokens of respect for the beloved deceased. 

The painting of Elvis makes him appear black, complete with an African medallion around his neck. 
 

The artists wanted viewers to ponder the popularity of a man that allegedly 

William Waters III

gained his popularity from exploiting the music of blacks. They raise the 
question: How can white American be so in love with ‘blackness’ (i.e., tanning) but remain so racist? 

This exploitation of black talent is clear when viewers see a noose made of dollar bills titled “Do it Yourself.” The artists give the viewers to take their own defamation into their hands. 
 
 

Jonathan Patton

The images created by these two master minds force viewers to step outside 
their comfort zone and step into the reality of these artists — and minorities — around the world.