Obatala (The Dancer)
Name/Title
"Obatala" (The Dancer)Entry/Object ID
1983.006Description
According to a letter written in either 1982 or early 1983 by the artist to Carol Pollock, gallery director at Saint Vincent: "Obatala was named after a dance of that name performed by Arthur Hall's dance group in Harrisburgh last year. Hall's group is based in Philadelphia and is involved with dance inspired by traditional African dances/ Obatala is a story-dance about an old chief who is so moved during a tribal fertility ance that he feels his youth and joins in. He goes from a bent old man to a high stepping, unbelievably frenzied strutter--and as the music dies down becomes a bent old man again who they help back to his chair. Anyway--when I saw it I was so excited because I was working on this piece and the title seemed to fit so well."Artwork Details
Medium
Aluminum, Welded AluminumCollection
College-Western Pennsylvania ArtistCataloged By
Nathan OSBAcquisition
Accession
1983.006Source or Donor
Dr. and Mrs. Laibe KesslerAcquisition Method
GiftCredit Line
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Laibe KesslerMade/Created
Artist Information
Artist
Bennett, RonRole
SculptorDate made
1981Notes
Artist's School: Public Art Technique: WeldedEthnography
Culture/Tribe
American