In a significant milestone for Oakland-based artist Mildred Howard, the Oakland Museum of California is set to showcase her groundbreaking work in a comprehensive retrospective titled *Mildred Howard: Poetics of Memory*, beginning on 12 June. This exhibition not only marks the first major museum retrospective of her extensive 50-year career but also highlights the artist’s rising prominence within the art world, a journey laden with both struggles and triumphs.
A Journey Through Untold Histories
At the heart of Howard’s artistic exploration lies a poignant commentary on American history. One striking example is her 10-foot sculpture of Junipero Serra, the controversial Spanish missionary infamous for his role in the mistreatment of Native Americans. Bound and blindfolded, Serra is wrapped in a vibrant “Make America Great Again red,” a haunting juxtaposition that encapsulates Howard’s *Untold Histories / Hidden Truths* series. This thought-provoking piece stands alongside a myriad of works in her expansive West Oakland studio, a space that has been both a home and a sanctuary for her creative process.
Howard’s studio, a vast 15,000 square-foot warehouse, is a testament to her artistic journey. Its walls, painted in bold red and white hues, are adorned with remnants of her public installations, such as the captivating *Three Shades of Blue* (2003), which pays tribute to San Francisco’s jazz heritage. The very essence of Howard’s life appears to bleed into her work, reflecting her belief that art is an intrinsic part of her identity.
The Artist’s Resilience
Born in 1945 in San Francisco as the youngest of ten siblings, Howard’s upbringing was steeped in activism and creativity. Her parents, notable figures in the dockworkers’ community and active organisers, instilled in her a profound sense of social responsibility. Her mother, Mable “Mama” Howard, was instrumental in advocating for the underground BART tracks in Berkeley, a move designed to combat racial segregation in their neighbourhood.
This legacy of activism is mirrored in Howard’s art, which continually addresses themes of memory, identity, and social justice. After a long struggle for recognition, 2023 brought a wave of accolades, including honorary doctorates from California College of the Arts and California State University, East Bay. The artist’s perseverance was further rewarded when she finally secured a Guggenheim Fellowship after a decade and a half of applications. “I had to call them to confirm it was real,” she recalls, a testament to her resilience amidst a backdrop of repeated rejections.
An Intertwined Life and Art
Howard’s life and art are inextricably linked, a fact that the curators of the Oakland Museum have meticulously considered in preparing for her retrospective. They delved into her personal archives, uncovering photographs, correspondence, and even childhood artefacts that illustrate the depth of Howard’s artistic journey. Her work, they assert, cannot be understood without acknowledging her life experiences, which continually inform her creative output.
The retrospective aims to provide visitors with insight into Howard’s world, showcasing not only her sculptures and installations but also the personal stories that underpin them. With pieces like *Kiss the Cake* (2007)—a whimsical bronze sculpture of disembodied gloves holding a rolling pin—Howard encapsulates the notion that cooking, much like art, is a form of love and creativity.
Howard’s art has always been a reflection of her environment and experiences. After being forced to leave her long-time studio in South Berkeley due to a drastic rent increase, she found herself in West Oakland, where she transformed a former canvas wholesaler into a vibrant creative space. This new environment has further inspired her work, allowing her to continue exploring the complexities of identity and memory.
A Celebration of Recognition
The upcoming exhibition is not merely a retrospective; it is a celebration of Howard’s hard-won recognition in the art world. “It feels like she’s having a moment, and one that she’s deserved and waited for a long time,” says Carin Adams, senior curator at OMCA. Indeed, this retrospective is a culmination of decades of dedication, a platform from which Howard can share her powerful narrative with a broader audience.
As Howard prepares for the opening of her exhibition, she reflects on her journey with a mixture of pride and humility. “You have to be almost dead for that to happen,” she quips, yet her laughter belies the seriousness of her conviction that art is not just a profession, but a vital part of her existence.
Why it Matters
Mildred Howard’s exhibition at the Oakland Museum of California represents more than just the showcasing of an artist’s work; it is a vital exploration of the intersections between art, history, and social justice. In a time when diverse voices are increasingly being acknowledged, Howard’s retrospective serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of remembering and honouring the narratives that shape our collective consciousness. Through her art, she challenges us to confront uncomfortable truths and inspires a new generation of artists to weave their own stories into the fabric of society.
