As part of an exhibition at Union Theological Seminary, artist Busby removed the portraits hanging on the seminary’s walls and documented the consequences of their absence in the site.
Says Busby, “I intend this work to invite conversation about the space of the Refectory and Union’s rich history as represented in portraits. However, the formal (and formulaic) conventions and hanging of the portraits don’t reveal this history. By looking beyond this convention we find a remarkable line-up of those who imagined, created, and sustained Union. And depending on how you look at it, there’s a randomness, or privilege, to whose images are represented in these portraits with many key figures in the institution’s history absent.”
“This 96-page book, published by the Institute of Art, Religion and Social Justice, Union Theological Seminary and Printed Matter, Inc., includes color photographs of all 63 of Union’s portraits (1840 – 2009), an annotated catalogue, and reflections about the portraits from Union students, faculty, staff, and friends.” – from the publisher.
