Nancy Elizabeth Prophet: I Will Not Bend an Inch at the Brooklyn Museum is a powerful exhibition that showcases the resilience and creativity of an Afro-Indigenous woman sculptor. Born in 1890 in Warwick, Rhode Island, Prophet was the first graduate of color from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1918. She later moved to Paris and returned to the United States in 1934, where she taught at Spelman College before settling back in Rhode Island until her death in 1960.
The exhibition is divided into two main galleries, each highlighting different aspects of Prophet’s work and legacy. The first gallery features a collection of Prophet’s wood and stone sculptures, including “Congalais” (1931), a cherrywood bust depicting a Maasai man from East Africa. This piece, along with others, reflects Prophet’s exploration of European and African motifs, blending realism, abstraction, and emotional depth in her sculptures.
Prophet’s artistic practice is further explored in the second gallery, which showcases her drawings, watercolors, and bas reliefs. Pieces like “Walk Among the Lilies” (1931-32) and various watercolors demonstrate Prophet’s versatility and skill in capturing nature scenes with bold pops of color. Additionally, archival photographs of her sculptures provide a glimpse into her meticulous documentation of her artworks.
Despite her talent and dedication to her craft, Prophet faced poverty and limited opportunities due to the racist and sexist barriers in the art world. She often tried to distance herself from her Black identity by emphasizing her Indigeneity or signing works as “Eli Prophet.” The exhibition serves as a long-overdue recognition of Prophet’s contributions to the art world and honors the legacy of artists who were historically overlooked.
The exhibition also delves into Prophet’s legacy through a timeline of her life and a short video showing her teaching in Atlanta. The film “Conspiracy” (2022) by Simone Leigh and Madeleine Hunt-Ehrlich pays tribute to the manual labor of Black women artists, highlighting the importance of preserving and celebrating their contributions. Through this comprehensive exploration of Prophet’s career and impact, the exhibition offers a compelling tribute to the artist and her enduring legacy.
Nancy Elizabeth Prophet: I Will Not Bend an Inch is on display at the Brooklyn Museum until July 13. The exhibition, curated by Dominic Molon, Sarah Ganz Blythe, and Kajette Solomon, was organized by Catherine Morris with Carla Forbes and originated at the RISD Museum. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the work of a pioneering artist who defied societal expectations and left a lasting impact on the art world.
