Steve A. Prince is a printmaking master recognized for his outstanding work in the medium. His artwork frequently explores issues of culture, history, identity, and injustice.
“I’ve taken my work and I’m dedicated to doing that work to raise awareness within us as people,” said Prince. “But I also know that in the making of this art, I am the first recipient of that ‘fruit,’ and I am the first convicted by it.”
Prince uses a variety of printmaking methods, including etching, linocut, and woodcut in order to produce elaborate pieces of art. His art is known for having rich detail, deep symbolism, and strong connections to African-American culture, history and experience.
“I think about the things my father used to go through growing up and things that I went through as a young man,” said Prince. “The things that I went through, these injustices, it came out of a long history of things. And so in knowing that, I started reflecting more on the history of what people did in the face of it.”
Currently working with William & Mary as a museum art director, he has significantly influenced the printing community through his artworks, aiming to teach people worldwide about meaningful topics through the unique perspectives of art.
“I’m in a position right now where I can create programs and I can directly go out into the community and I can impact people,” said Prince. “I can show them that, yes, you can do this as a career. You can make a difference.”
In his presentation, Prince told a story about one of his art pieces, Rosa Sparks (1968), which he sees as a profound moment in his career, something that solidified his passion and dedication to his work.
While he was in Notre Dame, explaining the story behind the title of Rosa Sparks (1968) to a news station, he noticed a woman in the audience visibly tearing up. Once the filming finished, he asked the woman what was wrong.
“She said, ‘I couldn’t get out of bed today, but something told me to get up and come here. And then I realized you’re here for me. This is the work I’m supposed to be doing, and I see in you, who I’m supposed to be. And then, you said my name. I’m Sparks. My name is Rosa Sparks,’” said Prince.
For each and every one of his artworks, Prince spends countless hours meticulously researching historical events, connecting and empathizing with them in order to create inspirational and heart-felt pieces. All for the purpose of showing those around him what effort and creativity can produce.
“There’s layers and layers and layers,” said Prince. “It’s that historical information layered on top of itself, and that is the work I believe we must do. [We must] pull upon all those aspects of our lives.”
Prince wants people, students especially, to dig deep and find their passion, their purpose, and their meaning. Everyone has a talent that they can utilize, deposit, and express somewhere. Whether it is through painting, printing, singing, or dancing, you are in charge of the future and the change you want to make.
“I have never become Michaelangelo, and I do not plan to be. I am Steve Prince, and I am happy with who I am.”
