PASA Holds Vote on Art at the Motley
By Lindsay Norcott
Staff Writer

Asked to draw what he fears most, Yohance Serrant '03 drew a rear view mirror displaying a police officer. "Being pulled over by a cop when I'm by myself is pretty much my biggest fear" explained Serrant.

Emotions such as fear, love, anger, and satisfaction were on display at the Pan African Student Association Art Show on Tuesday night at the Motley. Seven students from Pomona and CMC contributed work to the show. Visitors could vote for their favorite piece and the winner received $50.

Visitors wandered amidst students reading at the Motley, ballots in hand, trying to get a better look at each of the pieces. Organizers Jennifer Jones '03, Amber Croyle '03, and Veronica Glaze '04 looked on, encouraging people toward the snacks and refreshments that were provided. Many of the artists were also circulating, happy to explain their work to curious viewers.

The pieces were of different mediums: ceramics, painting, drawing, photography, and mixed media. Contributors to the show included Yohance Serrant '03, Kieran Smith '03, Kamau Norman-Terrance '05, James R. Davis '05, Christina Mitchell (CMC '03), Veronica Glaze '04, and Cassi Lynn Wright (CMC '03). Some artists chose pieces that highlighted Pan Africanism while others simply used this opportunity to display their work.

"You think you know someone, and then you find out they are capable of so much more than you ever thought. I never had a clue that Yohance, Kieran, or Christina had such an eye for art," commented Glaze. Many of these students had not displayed their art on campus before and surprised visitors with their hidden talent.

Glaze herself crocheted a red-black-green Pan African flag that unites all members of the African diaspora. She crocheted this piece because the knots were meant to show the many connections between African people. Glaze also put together a conglomeration of inventions by people of African descent. Affixed to a folding chair were golf tees, shoes, a hairbrush, and a Super Soaker-an artfully presented piece recognizing the work of African inventors.

In addition to "Rear View (My Worst Fear)," Serrant also provided a large work, "Delicate Love," based on a picture of him from a past relationship. Serrant took an art class at UCLA and "Rear View" was his first work, "Delicate Love" his last. This art show gave Serrant a chance to display his talent to the campus.

The work of Norman-Terrance '05, which was a computer graphics piece composed using Photoshop, spoke to the Pan African theme of the event. Norman-Terrance's piece "Orphaned Transition" showed the United States as connected to the lowest tip of Africa. Both countries were filled with pictures of crying African people. From a point on the Western coast of Africa, layered pictures of slave ships created another bridge to the United States.

Drawings by Davis all depicted men of African descent. The profile of a man against the background of an American flag with the words "Daddy, come home" drew attention to the black men and women who have fought for the United States. Another sketch showed a young man playing basketball. The third depicted a strong man in ragged clothing fighting against the chains that are binding him with a ship, presumably carrying slaves, sailing in the background.

Although the works of Smith, Mitchell, and Wright were not explicitly concerned with African themes, they were beautiful contributions to the show. Smith brought a gorgeous golden dragon as well as an engaging piece, "A Peek Inside" which contained boxes inside of boxes with holes cut so the viewer could get an inside look. Wright's series of elegant ceramic vessels titled "Simplistic Satisfation" varied in size and shape and made use of beautiful glazes. Mitchell presented two paintings on canvas, which included the Golden Gate Bridge at sunset and an abstract piece that reminded this reporter of musical notes.

The Pan African Student Association, in addition to this art show, will be putting on the Pan African Festival on Friday from noon to 8 p.m. on the Smith Campus Center lawn. There will be a DJ, food, and vendors. If you didn't make it to the art show, other cultural elements will be incorporated at the festival so stop by and take a look.