Univ. of Tenn. Uncovers Controversial Mural Hidden For Three Decades
KNOXVILLE, Tenn.
A 28-foot painting of Tennessee’s musical heritage was briefly unveiled at the University of Tennessee after being covered for more than three decades because of its depiction of Blacks.
“It’s surreal. I can’t believe it’s actually happening,” said Eric Harkness, a student on the campus Issues Committee that pushed for the unveiling, at the unveiling. “It’s remarkable to see the fruits of our labor.”
The 1955 painting, titled “Singing Mural” by New York artist Marion Greenwood, remained on public view in the ballroom of the student center for 24 hours, though plans are to move it to a campus gallery this summer for conservation and further exhibition.
The huge canvas portrays West Tennessee’s delta blues, Middle Tennessee’s country music and East Tennessee’s religious mountain music in life-size figures. It’s the west end of the painting that stirred controversy and led to it being covered by wood paneling in 1972.
Completed seven years before the university desegregated, the mural presents the plantation beginnings of the blues with what could be considered happy slave stereotypes.
