USI art exhibit and lectures ask us to examine the true color of our skin

An art exhibit featuring 24 acrylic paintings entitled "What is the color of your skin?" will be on display from September 22 through December 3 in the Wright Administration Building's McCutchan Exhibition Space at the University of Southern Indiana. Accompanying lectures and a presentation by the artist, Dr. Joseph Uduehi, associate professor of art education, will take place from noon to 1 p.m., Tuesday, September 23 in Kleymeyer Hall in the Liberal Arts Center, and from 6 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, September 30 in Forum II in the Wright Administration Building.

"The paintings are intended to challenge our perceptions of the colors of our skin; so at least the dialogue can begin about the true colors of our skin," said Uduehi. "In visual aesthetics you have to see with your eyes. You should address the colors that you see not what is in your mind."

The series of paintings use five main tones, in both abstract and figurative work, to break the simple classifications of black and white. "The paintings include images of how different skin colors emerged as people migrated throughout the globe," Uduehi said. Using his own skin color as example, he prompts the viewer to take notice of the variation of tones that exist within a single individual and juxtapose that with images of true, simple black or white.

Uduehi hopes to reach elementary school educators with his presentation and will provide lesson plans in the future for those who'd like to incorporate them in their teachings. "If we teach our kids to see colors the way they are, rather than how they are indoctrinated, maybe they will address colors better," he said.

The exhibit and lectures are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Uduehi at JUduehi@usi.edu or 812-465-1068.