Sculptor and Printmaker Willie Cole on His Haley Gallery Exhibit “Lyrical Reconstructions”

To celebrate the opening of his Haley Gallery exhibition “Lyrical Reconstructions,” American sculptor and printmaker Willie Cole visited the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to discuss his career and creative process.

In the interview, now available to stream, Cole explains the evolution of his work, which often blends familiar consumer objects with references to appropriated African and African American images. Open through May 16, "Lyrical Reconstructions” includes new work created for the exhibit using musical instruments, along with past pieces that highlight Cole’s use of art and found objects to address social injustice throughout his thirty-plus-year career.

Recorded on March 28, 2024, this interview was moderated by Anne Collins Smith, director of the Xavier University of Louisiana Art Gallery. It was filmed at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, home of Haley Gallery, which organizes and displays a variety of art exhibitions each year. A portion of proceeds from artwork purchased in the gallery supports the nonprofit Museum’s educational mission.