Race Experts: Sculpture, Anthropology, and the American Public in Malvina Hoffman's Races of Mankind

The Smithsonian American Art Museum has awarded the Charles C. Eldredge Prize for Distinguished Scholarship in American Art to Linda Kim for her book "Race Experts: The Art and Science of Human Diversity" which explores the role of sculptor Malvina Hoffman in the "Races of Mankind" series for the Chicago Field Museum in 1930. The exhibit was a unique visual mediation between anthropological expertise and popular ideas about race in interwar America, and Kim examines how the sculptures represented the messy resolutions between these different forms of expertise.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 422 pages
Publication date: 01 September 2021
Publisher: University of Nebraska Press

In her captivating book "Race Experts: Linda Kim Examines the Complicated and Ambivalent Role Played by Sculptor Malvina Hoffman in the 'Races of Mankind' Series Created for the Chicago Field Museum in 1930," art historian Linda Kim delves into the intricate and multifaceted portrayal of sculptor Malvina Hoffman in the renowned "Races of Mankind" series commissioned for the Chicago Field Museum in 1930. Despite Hoffman's lack of formal training in anthropology or museum exhibits, her exceptional talent and mentorship under Auguste Rodin and Ivan Meštrović led to her selection for this groundbreaking project.

The Field Museum entrusted her with the task of creating a series of life-size sculptures for their new racial exhibition, which would become the largest and most comprehensive exhibit on race ever installed in a museum. This monumental sculptural commission was a testament to Hoffman's artistic prowess and her ability to bridge the gap between anthropological expertise and popular notions about race in interwar America.

Kim's insightful exploration takes us on a journey into the world of the "Races of Mankind" exhibit, revealing how it compelled Hoffman to incorporate not only racial science but also the prevailing popular ideas that ordinary Americans brought to the museum. By situating the exhibit at the crossroads of these diverse forms of expertise, Kim meticulously examines how the sculptures represented the complex and often conflicting resolutions between them.

"Race Experts" is a captivating narrative that delves into the ideological contradictions and accommodations within the racial practices of American museums, artists, and audiences. Through meticulous research and analysis, Kim sheds light on the complex dynamics that shaped the representation of race in art during this period, challenging our understanding of the past and illuminating the ongoing struggles for racial justice and equality.

This book is a valuable contribution to the field of art history, offering a fresh perspective on the role of artists and museums in shaping public perceptions of race. It serves as a reminder of the power of art to challenge stereotypes, provoke dialogue, and inspire change. Whether you are an art enthusiast, historian, or someone interested in the intersection of race and culture, "Race Experts" is a must-read that will leave you enlightened and inspired.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496228222