WALK A MILE WITH JOYCE J. SCOTT

Creativity, Joyce J. Scott said, is in her DNA. A multidisciplinary artist, she is a weaver, sculptor, performance artist, printmaker, and educator, inheriting the multitalented gene from generations of family members who were craftspeople and performers. “Not necessarily because they wanted to be,” she said. “But they didn’t have a choice.” Scott’s parents fled the Carolinas in the thirties as part of the Great Migration of Blacks who moved north to escape persecution in the South. “Both my parents went to one-room schoolhouses. They had what might be equivalent to a sixth-grade education.” Born in Baltimore in 1948, she grew up in a segregated, working-class neighborhood that nurtured her creative talent. The skills she learned from her mother became a virtual passport and won her a scholarship to the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). After earning a BFA in arts education, Scott traveled to Mexico and lived in an art colony in San Miguel, where she worked with other artisans and learned new techniques such as textile design, macrame, ceramics, loom weaving, metalwork, and leatherwork. She was particularly drawn to the intricate beadwork traditions of indigenous Mexican cultures. "My parents gave me the ability to be a global citizen,” she said. "They made me strong enough to open the door for myself." While her father wanted her to become a teacher or a social worker, it became clear that she was on the right path. Scott won another scholarship to the Instituto Allende, where she earned her Master of Fine Arts. "That was the beginning of me knowing my worth." Through her art activism, Scott continues to contribute significantly to the understanding and appreciation of African American art, with notable works displayed at the Baltimore Museum of Art.

A life-changing experience in Mexico in the 1970s catapulted Scott into a lifelong commitment to artistic learning and engagement with global cultures. Subsequent travels to Cuba, Peru, Mali, Senegal, Scotland, South Africa, Thailand, and Italy followed. Fascinated by the history and presence of African people in diverse cultural contexts, Scott immersed herself in the rich tapestry of traditions, stories, and struggles that connect Diasporic communities worldwide.

As a result, her art activism has responded to global events and become a powerful testament to the interconnectedness of global Black experiences. She masterfully employs wit, candor, humor, and profound insight to confront the complex issues of racism, sexism, and violence. Her blend of cultural influences with contemporary themes creates art that is visually stunning and conceptually rich. Visitors to Walk a Mile will immediately be transfixed by the sheer beauty and brilliance of Scott’s artistry. Once inside, they will be challenged with certain uncomfortable truths.

In her Watermelon series, Scott employs the loaded symbolism of the fruit to challenge stereotypes and highlight the insidious nature of racial tropes. Similarly, her Lynching series delves into the harrowing history of racial violence in America, confronting viewers with the brutality of racism while simultaneously demanding reflection and action. The Mammy/Nanny series portrays the hypocritical ways in which Black nannies are perceived by their white masters or employers, emphasizing the power dynamic of prioritizing the needs of white children over their own. Scott's ability to blend humor with searing social commentary makes her work deeply resonant and a catalyst for important conversations.

Themes of identity prominently emerge in Joyce J. Scott’s fashion design, reflecting her commitment to art activism. "I dressed with world consciousness," she explained. "I made garments with African fabric and Indian mirror work, along with elements from Central America." This innovative artwear, which highlights African American art, is showcased in the section Fashioning Consciousness, alongside sculptures and jewelry.

Other highlights of the exhibition at the Baltimore Museum of Art include a new large-scale commission titled The Threads That Unite My Seat to Knowledge, featuring heirloom family quilts that pay tribute to generations of makers in Scott’s family. Iconic works are reunited, and ephemera, along with rare performance footage of Scott’s earliest performances and solo theater pieces, reveal the impressive breadth and depth of her artistry. A communal weaving area and Rest & Reflection: The Living Archive invite visitors to engage with collaborative artwork, books, music, and writing prompts.

Walk a Mile in My Dreams is a massive exhibition, perfectly fitting for Scott, whom the BMA describes as ‘one of the most significant artists of our time.’ This retrospective, along with a corresponding 288-page catalog, embodies one of her long-held mantras: "I will not be denied!" she declared, emphasizing her unwavering belief that she is powerful, possesses agency, and is unstoppable in manifesting an extraordinary legacy.

Not only was Joyce J. Scott determined to manifest an extraordinary legacy in African American art, but very much like other African American griots who carry her kind of mantle, she was conscious of creating a path for others in two distinct ways. She confronted the notion that folk and craft traditions, predominantly practiced by women, were lesser forms of artistic expression. By centering her work around these techniques, she effectively used glass beads to shatter the glass ceiling that had long confined crafters to the margins of the art world. In doing so, she challenged the established hierarchies of artistic value and celebrated the often-overlooked contributions of women to the contemporary art canon, thereby engaging in vital art activism. 

Drawing from her own Southern roots and inspired by Black feminist writers like Alice Walker and Toni Morrison, Scott was compelled to focus on the specific challenges faced by Black women. She amplified their stories through her work - shining a light on the intersections of race, gender, and power that shape their lives. By drawing from the rich tapestry of Black women's experiences, Scott not only honored their resilience but also demanded recognition and justice in a society that too often marginalized their voices. Her work has been prominently featured at the Baltimore Museum of Art, underscoring her impact as a multidisciplinary artist.