Augusta Savage 2010

Curator: Kara Walker's large-scale print, "Augusta Savage," at the Harvard Art Museums, really grabs you with its size. It's a statement, isn't it? Editor: It does feel quite monumental. The stark black ink on white screams for attention, a real declaration in materiality. The labor-intensive process of printmaking adds weight. Curator: Absolutely. Walker’s use of text, referencing Savage's legacy, resonates. Savage, a great artist, is now remembered as an activist, a great inspiration. Editor: The deliberate choice of such tactile, almost crude, letterforms also speaks to a broader, grassroots movement, far from the preciousness of the art world. Curator: I think it honors the spirit of Augusta Savage, whose work and teaching inspired so many in Harlem and beyond. It's about cultural memory and continuity. Editor: Yes, it is, and the medium itself becomes part of the message: accessible, reproducible, impactful—a testament to Savage's enduring influence. Curator: Seeing it this way gives me a renewed appreciation. Editor: For me, it’s the emphasis on labor and process that makes it so profound.