The Post

In recognition of Black History Month, the Castellani Art Museum has installed two relevant artworks in its Sculpture Court. Scott Richter created “Iron Moon for Nelson” in honor of South African president Nelson Mandela, before his release from prison. Mandela is known and respected all over the world as a symbol of the struggle against apartheid and all forms of racism; the icon and the hero of African liberation. As a young man, Mandela was a leader in the African National Congress, which organized mass civil disobedience against the practice of Apartheid, the legalized oppression of the black majority by the white minority government in South Africa. Mandela was tried for treason and sabotage and sentenced to life in prison in 1964. He was released from prison in 1990, and was later elected to the South African presidency. Nelson Mandela received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. Alison Saar’s “Mavis” is part of a series of iron skillets with portraits painted on them. These extremely dark portraits reflect on the relative invisibility and obscurity of domestic workers in our historically segregated society. Stop by the CAM throughout the month of February to view these important works.