 Norman Spencer Black in Bluegrass wood block and linocut prints Friday, Nov. 19 - Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021 Reception with the artist: Saturday, Dec. 4, 2-4 p.m. *bring proof of vaccination for entry* As a child, native Louisvillian Norman Spencer was told, "Black people don't hike—the woods are dangerous for Black folks” and only in early adulthood did Spencer access natural spaces beyond inner-city parks. Nature is now central to his life and creative practice. In Black in Bluegrass, Spencer responds directly to these frightening generational narratives by lifting up the possibility and reality of Black joy in the wild spaces of the Bluegrass state. Spencer’s block prints are based on photos, memories, and stories of many prominent Kentucky parks and landmarks. As a 2021 Regional Artist in Residence at the Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, Spencer developed new work while immersed in nature. Spencer says, “I have had a love for Bernheim since I was first introduced to the Arboretum, and I always felt welcomed here. I want to share that feeling with others who look like me.” Special thanks go also to the Fund for the Arts, for a 2020 Black Artist Fund Grant. Artist Statement
As a self-taught printmaker with no formal arts education, I work mostly with block printing (e.g. woodcuts and linocuts) while also experimenting with monoprints and 3D installations. Most of my work depicts and is inspired by human-environmental interactions, nature, and identity. Historically, block printing is deeply rooted in its ability to be used to depict nature; the bold lines and detailed mark making of block printing is perfect for this type of imagery. I enjoy the hands-on DIY aspect of the medium and how meditative it is as a process. This allows me to develop a relationship with the block while carving. Black in Bluegrass is an exhibition based around black joy in the Bluegrass state, specifically its natural spaces. I remember being told as a child that “Black people don't hike”, “The Woods are dangerous for black folks'' and thus, he wasn't exposed to natural spaces outside of inner city parks until early adulthood. Over the years nature has become a very important part of my life and creative practice. This exhibition is the beginning of an ever expanding body of work that looks to show black people enjoying the Kentucky wilderness. These linocuts are created from photos, memories, and stories and feature many prominent natural parks and landmarks in the Bluegrass State. I hope that this exhibition will help dispel some of the negative stereotypes associated with nature in the black community and get people of color back into nature as well as show everyone that Nature is a place for ALL people. Comments are closed.
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