Through the Photographic Lens of King Au: Honoring Jack Trice
Exhibition
January 17-October 8, 2023
See the exhibition in-person at the Neva M. Petersen Gallery, Christian Petersen Art Museum, Ground Floor, Morrill Hall MAP
John G. “Jack” Trice (American, 1902–1923) was a student football player who became the first African American athlete for Iowa State College (now University). Suffering catastrophic injuries during his second football game against University of Minnesota on October 6, 1923, Trice died two days later. Honored at the time of his death, Trice’s legacy faded from memory until 1973, and since then his legacy endures and provides inspiration to many. In August 1973 at a ceremony renaming the ISU football stadium to Jack Trice Stadium, then ISU President Martin C. Jischke declared, “Jack Trice…exemplifies a number of heroic qualities, including determination, courage, enthusiasm and giving one’s all to an important cause. He became a hero, not so much for what he accomplished, because his life was cut short, but for what he represented.”
Art has the power to commemorate, memorialize, celebrate, and honor. A hundred years after Trice’s death, this exhibition offers an examination of the artistic process and unique expressions of three campus sculptures created by three nationally known public artists all honoring Jack Trice and his legacy at Iowa State University. In photography King Au (Chinese American, b. 1960) was commissioned by University Museums to visually capture the site-specific sculptures through his creative lens. Since 1995 Au has been photographing Iowa State’s Art on Campus Collection. For this commission, Au captures fleeting moments of Trice sculptors’ sculptures, Christopher B. Bennett (American, b. 1953); Ed Dwight (American, b. 1935); and Ivan Toth Depeña, (American, b. 1972). Au then adds his unique interpretations of Trice’s legacy to these three narrative and abstracted sculptural tributes on campus.
This exhibition is curated by University Museums with support from the University Museums Membership and Advancement Council, including, Claire Andreasen, Marcia Borel, Kathy Howell, Art Klein, Anne Kohs, Beverly and Warren Madden, Frankie and Cal Parrott, and Diane and Jim Patton.
With Appreciation
Through the Photographic Lens of King Au: Honoring Jack Trice is the exhibition product of collaboration and inspiration between a number of individuals. University Museums extends its appreciation to artist King Au for conceiving and creating three profound new works of art for the permanent collection. University Museums gratefully acknowledges the Jack Trice sculptural artists, Ivan Depeña, Ed Dwight and Christopher Bennett who created their legacies of Trice for the Iowa State campus. President Wendy Wintersteen was an inspiration in commissioning the newest sculpture Breaking Barriers by Ivan Toth Depeña, and this exhibition that ensued. Also, with sincere gratitude to the Art on Campus Committee who worked to commission Breaking Barriers which includes Dr. Amy Kaleita, chair; Dr. Jeffrey Johnson, Chris Jorgensen, Steve Malchow, Reginald Stewart, Marie Beecham, Sydney Marshall, Jon Harvey, and Lynette Pohlman. And deep appreciation to the University Museums staff without whom this exhibition could not have happened.
Location: Christian Petersen Art Museum, Neva M. Petersen Maquette Gallery, Morrill Hall
Join artist and ISU alumnus King Au for the exhibition reception and unveiling of his newly commissioned three works of art for the University Museums’ permanent collection depicting the campus sculptures of student-athlete Jack Trice (1902–1923).
Location: Christian Petersen Art Museum: 1017 Morrill Hall
This program will explore the recent sculpture by public artist Ivan Toth Depeña that honors, commemorates and memorializes Trice's campus legacy as expressed through the power of art. A preview video featuring the creative process of creating Breaking Barriers with Depeña will be presented.
February 9, 2023, 12:00 PM - 12:50 PM (US Central)
Location: Christian Petersen Art Museum: 1017 Morrill Hall
This program will explore the recent sculpture by public artist Ivan Toth Depeña that honors, commemorates and memorializes Trice's campus legacy as expressed through the power of art.
Athletics and the depiction of the human form is a vital theme in both Iowa State’s history and the Art on Campus Collection. Museums Docent Steve Petska will lead an art walk in connection with the Honoring Jack Trice exhibition at the Christian Petersen Museum.
Location: Begins at Christian Petersen Art Museum, Morrill Hall
Join Lynette Pohlman, director and chief curator, to explore the legacy of Jack Trice and Iowa State’s commemorative sculptures honoring this campus icon, as well as surveying the tradition of other commemorative sculptures at Iowa State. Walking required.
Location: Farm House Museum & Christian Petersen Art Museum
Having trouble getting to the museum during the week? Enjoy the University Museums’ central campus locations and spring exhibitions during an open house weekend, Saturday & Sunday, April 15 & 16 from 1:00-4:00pm.
