Upon entering the OSU Urban Art Space, you are greeted with a biography of Dr. Frank Hale and other culturally relevant icons.
Frank Hale worked at OSU from 1971-98. He was a man of many accolades, important jobs and podiums. He was the Associate Dean of the Graduate School, Vice Provost for Diversity and Inclusion, and a Professor Emeritus. He sat on many regional boards – everything from the United Negro College Fund to the Ohio Martin Luther King Commission. Frank lectured many places including the National Academy of Science.
Dr. Frank Hale served as a consultant to various institutions and organizations such as the Department of Education and West Point. He published several books including an autobiography called Angels Watching Over Me in 1996 and What Makes Diversity Work in 2004. Dr. Frank Hale died in 2011. This information is condensed from BlackSociety.alumni.osu.edu.
Once inside, you also see a series of photos of historical black figures, from Muhammad Ali to Stokely Carmichael. Obviously, Muhammad Ali is a person whose victory over the hearts and minds of Americans can loom as inspiration for anyone taking a knee. Or, speaking like Lebron James, against things that impede human rights for Americans. By the way, even Cardi B’s press release said she was down to take a knee for Colin Kaepernick during her last visit to town.
That Stokely Carmichael’s face greeted me at the entrance was cool to see for me personally, because I read his books during my adolescence. His wisdom helped me understand the moments to speak my mind about injustice and also the moments that aren’t for me to comment.
I bet if you asked Eminem about Stokely Carmichael, he would voice a familiarity with Carmichael’s perspective on the human condition, one that certainly inspired his recent Stomp Trump BET Freestyle. Obviously, Carmichael wasn’t waiting around for white people to help. But the fact Eminem listened to Boogie Down Productions in his life, and heard Carmichael, will make it so Marshall Matters.
Even if that wasn’t the point of Carmichael’s message or existence, we are 30 years deep into some cultural literacies. Whether you liked the Freestyle or not – do notice that Enimem has 20,000,000 YouTube views, more than any speech delivered by our current president.
My point is that American culture has shaped mainstream culture in the OSU Urban Art Space. The point of this exhibit was not to congratulate a white rapper for doing the right thing. The point was to show the work of artists who desire recognition and help cognition. My point is a private conversation can have some human elements.
The next thing I noticed was a black and white piece by Aminah Robinson dedicated to Dr. Frank Hale. Since Robinson is one of the most well-known Columbus artists, I probably don’t need to expand. This shows you the creative environment that Dr. Frank Hale had as his local culture.
I noticed outside art made by Ralph Bell, who was a paraplegic who painted with brushes attached to his head. Mr. Bell was born in 1913. He died in 1995. Ralph began painting at the young age of 67. The interesting thing about paintings is they are cartoony, happy depictions of family.
Not the bleak expression one might expect.
There was photo by Sharon Farmer of a woman holding her child. Sharon Farmer graduated Ohio State in 1974. In 1993, she shot photos of the Clintons. Farmer eventually became director of White House Photography during the Clinton era.
I wish I had more time to discuss the paintings of pyramids, the Michael Jackson airbrush drawings and various sculptures but recommend you visit the OSU Urban Art Space. Please visit Dr. Frank Hale’s exhibit.
