Untitled (Underground Railroad Tunnel) 2018

Curator: This is Bill McDowell's "Untitled (Underground Railroad Tunnel)," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. It’s a haunting image. Editor: Indeed. My first impression is one of stark materiality. The rough-hewn wood and exposed brick evoke a raw, almost brutal simplicity. Curator: The image speaks volumes about clandestine resistance. Think of the hands that labored to create this passage, the lives that depended on it, and the systems of oppression it defied. Editor: Absolutely, and look at the craftsmanship of the hidden doorway. The materiality speaks of ingenuity born out of necessity. This wasn't high art; it was a tool of liberation. Curator: It reframes our understanding of freedom and the fight for equality. McDowell’s work reminds us that history is built on tangible acts of defiance. Editor: The tunnel is a powerful testament to human agency against exploitation. Its materials serve as a quiet, resolute witness. Curator: Exactly. It lingers with me, prompting reflection on the ongoing struggle for justice. Editor: A sobering reminder of the past's physical presence and its continuing relevance.