Elizabeth Catlett's Invisible Man

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Elizabeth Catlett's Invisible Man

• Photos and Text by
• Kwame Brathwaite

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The Invisible Man on Riverside Drive

• This is the first public commission for Ms
  Catlett in New York City.
• The monument dedicated to noted author Ralph
  Ellison, began as a project in this West Harlem
  community, in which Ellison lived until his death
  in 1994

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• Legendary sculptor Elizabeth Catlett Unveils The
  Invisible Man monument to Ralph Ellison

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Among those reading Ellison works in tribute to
him was the fabulous Ruby Dee
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Bill Cosby was on hand to celebrate the unveiling
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• The project was initiated by residents of his
  Riverside Drive section of Harlem, interested in
  improving conditions on the island from 149th
  to 153rd Streets along Riverside Drive. They also
  wanted to honor the important literary legacy of
  Ralph Ellison, a longtime resident of 730
  Riverside Drive, who regularly enjoyed this
  section of RSD Park.

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Sherri Bronfman greets Camille and Bill Cosby
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• Ralph Ellison (1914-1994) is best known as the
  author of Invisible Man which was published in
  1952 and gained renewed interest during the
  1960s. One of Americas most respected 20th
  century writers, his book was hailed as a
  masterpiece upon its publication, and won the
  National Book Award. The novel which revealed
  truths about the nature of bigotry and its
  effects on the minds of both victims and
  perpetrators, was one of this nations most
  influential postwar novels.
• Other works by Ellison include essays Shadow and
  Act and Going to the Territory, The Collected
  Essays of Ralph Ellison, Flying Home and Other
  Stories as well as Juneteenth.

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Camille Cosby, Ruby Dee, Sherri Bronfman, Stanley
Michael, Catlett and Riverside residents with
Mrs. Ellison
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A panel of art experts, advised by a broad-based
group of community members, guided the selection
process. Elizabeth Catlett was the unanimous
choice of both the judges and the community
representatives. Ms Catletts distinguished
career as a painter, printmaker and sculptor
reflects her desire to present African-American
people in their beauty and dignity for ourselves
and others to understand and enjoy. Her work is
represented in major museums and university
collections in the US and other countries,
including the permanent collections of the
Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern
Art, the Studio Museum in Harlem the Cochran
Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. and Mexicos
Museo de Arte Moderne.
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Collector and Riverside Drive resident, William
Watson Hinds, III shares memories with Catlett
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A plaque was also placed on one of the newly
installed benches, in honor of her recently
departed, and beloved husband, noted Mexican
artist Francisco Mora who was always with her in
life.
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Elizabeth Catlett and friend view plaque
dedicated to her late husband Francisco Mora