Viewing page 18 of 105

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

AUSBRA FORD

The sculptures, "Singing the Down-home Blues" and the "Jazz Singer" are a part of the blues series that I have been working on for the last three years. I am a lover of jazz and blues music and I want to express this in my sculpture. While in the service I was stationed in the south, as well as having done field research in the south. So therefore, I have a firsthand appreciation and understanding of what is called "down-home music" in the Black community. It is music of great strength as well as passion - it has no frills - only music straight from the heart. Thus, I tried to make the forms strong and bold. I think the passion is there also. 

Talc stone is fragile but gives an excellent effect. The wood gives that warm earthly quality, like jazz and blues.

The sculpture remembering Steve Biko is from the African series. I have expanded this series and I have been working on it for over six years. This Janus-faced head represents the ancestors of the past and the front head represents Biko fighting for the future of Black South Africans.

Mr. Ford attended the Chicago School of the Art Institute where he received his B.A.E.; University of Chicago; Ray Vogue Art School, M.F.A. Chicago.

His collections include: DuSable Museum Sculpture Garden and Permanent Collection, University of Suwon, Republic of Korea; and&1 Chicago State University.