Friends, artists, art collectors, and admirers recently gathered at the David C. Driskell Center to unveil a sculpture honoring the center’s namesake. Melvin Edwards created “David’s Dream,” a multi-dimensional steel design with disc-like structures held together by an abstract chain and rectangular pedestal.
Edwards’ creation is at the University of Maryland-College Park campus in front of Cole Field House, where the Driskell Center is located. In his remarks, Edwards, 86, reflected on the impact of what Driskell envisioned with the Center to understand the title of his sculpture.
“The development of this Center is an idea and part of the direction we should be in,” said Edwards. “That is to extend the presence of the living artist and expand and understand the variety there is.”
Edwards is a leading American artist, whose work, according to the Stephen Friedman Gallery in New York City, is born out of the social and political turmoil of the civil rights movement in the United States. Themes of race, protest and social injustice permeate the artist’s practice.”
“David’s Dream” was unveiled to coincide with the Driskell Center’s current exhibition, “David C. Driskell & Friends: Creativity, Collaboration, and Friendship.” This exhibition features over 70 artworks by 35 prominent African American artists and original archival materials. The exhibition is available for viewing until May 15. For more information, visit the Driskell Center website at https://driskellcenter.umd.edu
