By Nicole Damico
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Goucher College is currently showcasing an art exhibit that challenges the definitions of female beauty and tells African American women in particular that they do not have to conform to European standards of what is attractive.
The “Sitting Pretty” exhibit, which features relief prints by Baltimore artist LaToya Hobbs, is on display in Goucher’s Rosenberg Gallery until Oct. 25 and features about eight print works that depict African American women in their natural state of beauty.
Hobbs, 35, is a native of North Little Rock, Arkansas. She received her undergraduate degree in studio art with an emphasis in painting from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and her MFA in printmaking from Purdue University.
She is currently continuing her work in Baltimore and is a professor at the Maryland Institute College of Arts.
“Art in general is important because those who create it use it as a way to share their experiences, and as a mirror to reflect society at large,” Hobbs said. “This work is important to me because it serves as a platform to challenge stereotypes concerning the black female body and present a perspective grounded in positivity that celebrates the diversity of black women with respect to their physical appearance, and in the case of these works, hair texture specifically.”
Julia Potler, an event coordinator for Goucher College, said that Hobbs also included a double self-portrait to present herself in her most natural state.
“Several works in this exhibit were created as a result of my personal experiences switching from chemically straightened hair to my natural kinky textured hair, also known as ‘going natural,’” Hobbs said.
“The work that African American women put into doing their hair is similar to that of the relief print making that LaToya used for this exhibit,” said Alex Ebstein, the director of exhibitions and curator at Goucher College.
Ebstein said that Hobbs is using her art to create a natural hair movement. Through her work viewers can see that she is trying to communicate a social element of beauty and the way society perceives beauty.
On her website, Hobbs said that the act of cutting away at the medium she is using is symbolic to cutting away at the negative views peopole have about themselves when it comes to beauty.
When Hobbs is creating her pieces, she is carving into the wood, cutting away at it to create something beautiful. This is similar to cutting out all negativity that we see in ourselves.
Sitting Pretty is a way for Hobbs to present a contemporary Black identity that can be lost when people conform to the societal standards of beauty, Ebstein said.
“LaToya was able to establish a vision of Black womanhood and hair through her art,” Ebstein said.
The exhibit information describes the display as Hobbs using her art to present a version of rebellion against societal norms. Through this rebellion Hobbs focused on what makes African American women beautiful through presenting their most natural state, a place where many people do not feel comfortable.
“In her art I feel like LaToya was trying to be more specific towards African American women as opposed to just beauty,” said Laurel Kipe, gallery assistant at Goucher College’s three art galleries. “When these women embrace their natural hair, they are embracing their Black identity.”
Brianka Enck, a student at Goucher College who also works at the campus art galleries, said she has seen a different type of person coming to see LaToya Hobbs’ “Sitting Pretty” exhibit.
“I have seen more outside people coming in to view this exhibit as opposed to just students and faculty passing through,” Enck said.
Julia Potler agreed, saying this exhibit has attracted a younger, more ethnically diverse background.
“My work is a reflection of myself and the women in my close and extended community and I hope to inspire them to find, accept and embrace their true selves,” Hobbs said.