My Palmer Museum VIsit

As I was viewing all the marvelous paintings and sculptures located inside the Palmer Museum, I happened to be really intrigued by one piece in particular. Although it was a very small, wooded sculpture, the emotions behind it were immense. The name of this American piece is “Lynched”. It was created in 1933. As you can see, this sculpture represents one of the violent attacks that were occurring to the black society during that time period. By looking at the face of the sculpture the feelings of agony, pain, and sadness come to life; it’s like you can almost feel what they’ve been through. However these were only some of the feelings many African Americans had during the 1930s. During this time period, although slavery was abolished, racism was still around. Major racist groups, although were declining, still held enough power to torture and go against African American civil rights.

What’s so great about this piece is that it is self explanatory. Seymour Lipton (1903-1986) was the artist who created the sculpture “Lynched”. Despite the fact that he was first a dentist, Lipton was famously known for creating fine art that described certain social concerns. This small sculpture is a perfect example. It’s exposing and speaking against the discrimination and cruelty that was secretly occurring to the Blacks by the majority of society during that era. Many of the details of this piece, such as the  uncomfortable position of the head, the face expression and the position the body is in, gives you such a blunt view of how bad this poor race was being treated. Just by looking at the sculpture, I wish I were able to travel back in time and save everyone who went through such anguish!! It doesn’t matter how much someone is hated, what’s happening to the person in this sculpture is something that no one should had ever experienced. Seymour Lipton also made other meaningful pieces, such as “Prisoner”, however this one was fighting for another cause. Made out of copper, led, and steel, during 1948, this piece spoke for those who were held captive during WW II, including those in the concentration camps.

Overall, I had a great experience at the Palmer Museum. It was my first time going to that museum and I have to say there were many beautiful and interesting paintings. Besides the “Lynched” sculpture, I was also drawn to another American piece named “Peacock Blue and Yellow Seaform Set with Yellow Lip Wraps” by Dale Chihuly. This sculpture is just so beautiful! It was so pleasing to my eyes that if I were allowed I would have taken it with me! Everything about it was just so pretty, from the design to the colors. It gives you such a pleasant, calm feeling and an overall positive view of the sea. The colors almost gave it a little glow, I just loved it! However I don’t think I’ll go back. The museum is very nice but I’ve already seen all of its art. I’m more of a “hands on/motion seeking” kind of girl, therefore I wouldn’t really have the same enjoyable experience as I had the first time. The paintings are lovely but I don’t think I have to see it twice. If I were to go back I’d want to see something different.