Emmett Till Remembered Through Art

The story of Emmett Till raises many hypothetical questions about social justice. What if Emmett Till had survived and had never become a symbol for the Civil Rights Movement? He was a 14-year-old from Chicago, brutally murdered in Mississippi in 1955 for allegedly whistling at a white woman. His mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, showed his body in an open casket to highlight the violence he faced.

Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam, the men responsible for Till’s death, were acquitted by an all-white jury, even after confessing to the crime. A warrant for Carolyn Bryant Donham, involved in the events leading up to Till’s murder, remains unserved. Federal laws against lynching were not established until 2022, much later than needed. Emmett Till would have been 85 years old on July 25.

In honor of his legacy, Raymond Thomas, creative director of The Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley Institute, organized an exhibition titled “From Memory to Movement: Emmett at 85” at Blanc Gallery in Bronzeville. This exhibit features works by 11 Black Chicago-based artists who focus on Emmett Till’s humanity and the social dynamics of our times. These artists include Paul Branton, Roger Carter, Gerald Griffin, Candace Hunter, Tonika Lewis Johnson, Bryant Lamont, John Caleb Pendleton, Max Sansing, Norman Teague, Bernard Williams, Kevin Williams, and Thomas himself.

Candace Hunter’s work in the exhibit focuses on another well-known tragedy, that of Trayvon Martin in 2012. Her piece in this exhibit, “Emmett’s Last Night: Eternal Night,” is a surreal representation of Till’s last day of life and his depiction in the casket. Hunter described growing up in an environment deeply aware of Till’s murder.

John Caleb Pendleton, owner of Planks and Pistils, contributed with “Tallahatchie Chiffarobe,” an abstract wood piece. This piece uses materials like brunia and lotus pods, symbolizing new life, and is inspired by rural Southern symbols and Till’s narrative.

Raymond Thomas’ mixed media collage, “We Love You Paw Paw,” imagines an alternate reality where Till grew up in Chicago, lived a full life, and turned 85 with his family. Through his work, Thomas addresses the persistent struggle against inequality and the importance of recognizing the humanity of Black people.

“From Memory to Movement: Emmett at 85” is part of the Till Institute’s “Till Life Matters Initiative.” This series of programs recognizes Emmett Till’s lasting impact on society. The exhibit remains open through July 25 at Blanc Gallery, 4445 S. Martin Luther King Drive. More information is available at blancchicago.com.