by Babette Wainwright
In Low Tides, Haitian-born artist Babette Wainwright used a pit-firing technique to honor both her own African ancestors and the ancestors of humankind who depended on this ancient approach of working with clay. Low Tides is often mistakenly seen as symbolizing the "Middle Passage" of African people who were stolen into slavery. However, the work is actually a metaphor of the exodus for the oppressed and the persecuted worldwide throughout history. "It is about a people's courage to risk death on unpredictable oceans in the pursuit of survival and dignity."
Low Tides was selected by the Winthrop Foundation from the 2001 Clay National Exhibition as an addition to the University Collection. Low Tides represents a journey, and it acts as a reminder of all who have come to this campus and all who comprise its community of learners.