The Moody Center for the Arts at Rice University hosted a reception Feb. 6 to celebrate the latest installation in the Moody Project Wall series titled “Spectrum Sammy” created by Houston-based artist Phillip Pyle II . As a part of the university’s Black History Month initiatives, the reception was organized in collaboration with Rice’s Center for African and African American Studies and featured music by ethnomusicologist DJ Flash Gordon Parks.
“Learning some history about Rice, I wanted to make something that represented myself but also some fun things about Rice,” Pyle said. “I also wanted to touch on things that maybe Rice can have some conversations about.”
A visual artist, graphic designer and photographer, Pyle’s work engages with race and popular culture through the lens of graphic design. Often infused with an irreverent sense of humor, his pieces encourage reflection and dialogue on social issues. “Spectrum Sammy” builds upon the powerful symbol of the raised fist, which became globally recognized in 1968 when Olympic medalists Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists on the podium in Mexico City as a gesture of resistance against civil rights injustice and of advocacy for human rights. Pyle’s version presents the fist in a spectrum of colors, reflecting solidarity across communities. Atop the fist sits Rice’s mascot Sammy, embedding the work within the university’s cultural landscape.
“In some ways, I just thought of the piece as a way to make people a little curious,” Pyle said. “It’s a conversation starter. I hope people wonder, ‘Why would he make this?’ and ‘What’s this about?’ University is all about research and curiosity.”
The Moody’s Project Wall is a space for interventions of all kinds, engaging artists, students and the community, noted Alison Weaver, the Suzanne Deal Booth Executive Director of the Moody.
“Art has the potential to bring us together for conversation, and one of the things that inspires me about Phillip’s work is how his images invite us to talk to each other about issues that are important in culture and society,” Weaver said.
“Spectrum Sammy” will remain on view at the Moody Project Wall until Feb. 23. Learn more here.
