Power, Presence, and Recognition—Reflections on The Shape of Power: Stories of Race and American Sculpture
Join for a talk with VCUarts Associate Professor Tobias Wofford, Ph.D. as he shares reflections on artworks included in The Shape of Power: Stories of Race and American Sculpture, currently on view at the Smithsonian American Arts Museum in Washington, D.C. Hear how this groundbreaking exhibition examines the role of sculpture in understanding and constructing the concept of race in the United States. The exhibition brings together 82 sculptures created between 1792 and 2023, ranging in size from palm-sized coins to monumental statues created from diverse media such as bronze, marble, shoes, paper, and hair. Made by 70 different artists, the exhibition juxtaposes historical and contemporary works to invite dialogue and reflection on notions of power and identity in American art.
Event details
Tues., April 8
5:30-6:30 p.m. Lecture
In-person at:
Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU
601 West Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23220
Register to participate in person.
Register to participate virtually.
Speaker Biography
Tobias Wofford is an associate professor of Art History. His research explores the meeting of globalization and identity in the art of the African Diaspora since the 1950s, as well as concepts of diversity and multiculturalism in art of the United States. To this effect, he has written on the multifaceted role of Africa in contemporary African American art, analyzing how Africa is invoked and interpreted within the context of shifting artistic and political movements in the United States. Wofford teaches courses that explore African American art and visual culture; art of the African Diaspora, and American art. Before joining VCUarts, Wofford was an Assistant professor at Santa Clara University. His research has been supported by fellowships from the Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts and the Mellon Postdoctoral Program at Johns Hopkins University. He was also a Terra Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow in American Art at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington D.C. Wofford received his Ph.D. and M.A. in art history from the University of California, Los Angeles.
