Artist Seitu Jones' life work has been grounded in the civil rights movement and the Black Arts movement, so the impacts of structural and systemic racism frame his approach. The pandemic, as we know, has revealed injustices that have been there all along, as well as the generous spirits that rise to fulfill various needs. Jones will join a panel of Champaign-Urbana residents, including several University of Illinois faculty, to think together about what lies beneath local food insecurities and to illuminate the needs, desires and hopes of the community. Mr. Jones is interested in improvisational approaches that work with the materials at hand: land, plants, water, soil, air and the humans who live alongside and in these environments. This informal discussion, moderated by Urbana arts and culture coordinator, Rachel Storm, will feature Dawn Blackman, Ruby Mendenhall, Jennifer Monson, Magdalena Novoa, and Bobby Smith II, in conversation with Seitu Jones.
Visit https://cas.illinois.edu/upcoming-events for more information.
About Seitu Jones
George A. Miller Visiting Scholar (2020-21)
Seitu Jones is a Saint Paul (MN) based artist whose interdisciplinary practice considers the historical construct of race and the desire to restore our Beloved communities through food, conversation and beauty. His practice aspires to create environmental and public artwork that honors and inspires communities. Seitu Jones Studio engages, advises and produces work that advances food and environmental justice through the arts and public sphere.
In addition to the Center for Advanced Study/George A. Miller Committee, co-sponsors of these events include: Dance, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, College of Fine and Applied Arts, African American Studies, Center for Social and Behavioral Science, Extension, Human Development and Family Studies, Inner Voices Social Issues Theatre, Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute, Krannert Art Museum, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Landscape Architecture, Siebel Center for Design, Theatre, and Urban and Regional Planning.
