“And The Beat Goes On,” an exhibition by the Suzanne H. Arnold Art Gallery at Lebanon Valley College, features works by Richard J. Watson, artist-in-residence and exhibition manager at the African American Museum in Philadelphia. 

Presented in Watson’s style of found art, a form of mixed media, are items that resonate with the history of African Americans as well as his own personal history and experience. Through his artwork, Richard J. Watson continues to put a foot forward for civil rights and social transformation. 

“Enough Said Already” is a powerful piece of artwork, created to communicate broad themes of racism and social media oversaturation. In this mixed media piece, Watson uses a black and white photograph of a lynching of a young man by the name of James Clark, who was lynched in 1926 by a white mob. On the other side is faces of African American women praying and looking forward to better times. News clippings of deaths, murders and other atrocities committed against members of the African American community surround the two panels framing the black and white photographs. Images of police brutality are included in this piece.

These images resonate with communities dealing with events of the past two years and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Topics such as racism, hate and violence, especially that of firearms, are depicted in Watson’s works. “Biography of a Drive-By” is an artistic representation of the pain and suffering felt by victims, relatives and friends impacted by gun violence. A striking photograph depicted in this work is of an African American woman wiping tears from her face. Contributing more to the emotional connotations of the artwork is a floating pedestal that holds bullet casings set into red wax, representing the true violence of a shooting. By arranging this piece in a way that focuses on the undeniable reality of gun violence, history is brought out of the shadows. It is a piece of artwork that speaks to pain, suffering and remembrance.

There were pieces of art that showed historical controversy and others that showed the beauty found in the bustling world around us. In an interview with the artist last spring, Watson mentioned how “sometimes there is no meaning and art is simply art and sometimes it is both.” 

Evident in the collection is the overlap between beauty and meaning. “And The Beat Goes On” is a work encapsulating the vibrancy of African American culture through a representation of the Harlem Renaissance: a revival of African American culture and intellect in music, art, literature, dance, fashion, theatre and politics.

“And the Beat Goes On” is a work that truly encompasses the voice of the exhibition as a mixed media piece in the shape of windowpane. The feature piece of the gallery, it shows the interconnected nature of Richard J. Watson’s artwork and passions for civil rights and social activism. Encompassed in this piece is a photograph of prominent African American Jazz musician Dizzy Gillespie as he plays his signature ‘bent’ trumpet. There is also a glowing red image of a confident and beautiful African American woman who is surrounded by bright and vibrant colors that scream of perseverance and overcoming. This piece that is the focal point of the gallery connects the pride and persistence of African Americans while not forget where they came from and what they fought through. 

The artwork and care to detail is beautiful, and the colors are resonant with moods of frustration and anger yet are also balanced with those of peace and hope. A work that truly connects art and the turmoil that African Americans have faced in the past and continue fighting today. Through this piece, there is a celebration of the strength and persistence of the human spirit. Where even amongst the beauty and vibrant colors, there can still be seen black and white photographs of police brutality and a photograph of the start of the Declaration of Independence, a reminder of what rights were promised to be given to all people regardless of race, economic status or creed. 

The works of Richard J. Watson truly are pieces that flow together encapsulating the full history of African Americans and bring their story to life. They are a compilation of the past and present colliding and showing a way to a hopeful and bright future. An exhibition such as this is a truly heart wrenching and emotionally evocative experience that teaches history in an eye-opening way while enveloping the human soul with color and awe.

“And The Beat Goes On”, an exhibition at the Suzanne H. Arnold Art Gallery at Lebanon Valley College, 101 College Ave, Annville, Pa, 17003. Running September 2nd through October 23rd. For more information of times and upcoming gallery exhibitions visit https://www.lvc.edu/offices-directories/the-suzanne-h-arnold-art-gallery/.

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