When students arrive on campus for the new academic year, they’ll be greeted by lots of new artwork, inside and out.
As always, the artwork is culled from the permanent collection, students, faculty and outside artists. A portion of the work currently on display is comprised of donations from local residents Lawrence and Kitty Doherty. The couple has donated more than 40 pieces of art to BSU, including sculpture, photography and paintings.
Recently, Mr. Doherty stopped by campus to chat about a few of his favorite pieces now on display at BSU, specifically paintings by the South African artist Paul Stopforth.
“He’s a very good artist who’s represented in most museums around the country,” Mr. Doherty said. The artist uses stylistic dot patterns that evoke “the luminosity of African beadwork.” A redurring theme of Mr. Stopforth’s work is the homesickness of the exile.
Mr. Stopworth delivered a well-attended lecture in the Moakley Center a few years ago, where he discussed his run-ins with authorities during the years of Apartheid. Key Stopworth paintings on campus can be found on the second floor of the new Welcome Center and on the second floor of the Moakley Center.
Also included in the pieces donated by the Dohertys are several works of sculpture which dot the section of the Nunckatessett Greenway that runs through campus.
Asked why he and his wife have donated so many pieces of art to BSU, Mr. Doherty said he’s learned over the years the transcendent power of art to ease worries and to act as a balm for busy minds.
“If students are wrapped up in their studies but see something that takes their mind away, perhaps someday down the road they’ll remember what that work of art meant to them.”
Ultimately, the hope is that the students of today will be inspired to be the benefactors of tomorrow, he added. (Story by John Winters; photos by Steve Rowell. University News & Media)
