Nteasee 1: Trust the Soul that Burns Within You

Brandon James Scott

2024 Epoxy Resin and Concrete

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Honoring professor Miriam DeCosta-Willis for her trailblazing work as an educator and for her lifelong activism for marginalized groups. 

This sculpture stands to pay homage to DeCosta-Willis and all whom she paved a way for. DeCosta-Willis was the first black professor at the University of Memphis and a civil rights activist who pushed for social, racial, and economic justice. 

 

Nteasee is the Akan word for “understanding.” The Nteasee symbol represents cooperation and understanding. It urges the people to be more considerate and compassionate towards one another.

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In my current art practice I am exploring ideas around resilience, perseverance and passion through the juxtaposition of resin and concrete. Concrete representing strength, grit and grind and resin representing refinement and status. With this material I am exploring themes such as "From pressure comes diamonds" or "The flower that finds a way to grow through the cracks of a sidewalk". Within the bust lies replicated wild flowers symbolizing growth and a cotton bush honoring the sacrifices made by ancestors. The flowers may or may not be revealed with time.