John T. Scott was on born June 30, 1940 in the Gentilly neighborhood of New Orleans and grew up in the Lower Ninth Ward. It was at Booker T. Washington High School that Scott realized he was talented enough as an artist to make a career out of it. He attended Xavier University in New Orleans on the advice of his high school mentor. Scott then went on to receive a master’s degree in fine arts from Michigan State University in 1965, where he studied under artist Charles Pollock, the brother of famed painter Jackson Pollock. Following graduation, Scott was offered a job teaching art at Xavier and he initially accepted the position believing he would only stay a couple of years; however, art education at Xavier became a large part of his professional life for the next 40 years. During his time at Xavier, he taught modeling, carving, sculpting, casting, lithography, drawing, printmaking, and calligraphy. Scott also served as chair of the Art department from 1974-1980.

In addition to teaching, Scott was an avid sculptor and his work was featured in art galleries across the United States. Scott called upon Jazz, spirituality, the African diaspora, and Caribbean and Southern Creole cultures for inspiration. He focused on creating kinetic sculptures made of wood, brass, and flagstone. Scott had a series of sculptures inspired by the African diddley-bow, a weapon used by hunters that was repurposed as a musical instrument that played a sound expressing guilt after taking the life of an animal. Scott sculpted many non-kinetic works as well, such as his “Circle Dance” series which emphasized feminine vigor and perseverance. Later in life, Scott became disheartened by the gun violence that had corrupted New Orleans and other American cities, and his work came to reflect the sadness he felt towards young people losing their lives in senseless acts of violence. Scott channeled his melancholy to produce the series “After” which dealt with wakes and the idea of planning death instead of life. Scott also had a deep love for his hometown and his most famous works are found throughout New Orleans including “Street Windows” at City Park and “Ocean Song” in Woldenberg Park.

Scott was also involved with several artistic organizations where he served as a board and committee member. These organizations include the Arts Council of New Orleans, The Louisiana State Arts Council, and Mayor Ernest “Dutch” Morial’s Committee for Arts and Cultural Development.

In 1984 Scott was selected as the Lead Artist for an ambitious art project titled “I’ve Known Rivers” that was a part of the Afro-American pavilion at the World’s Fair. The goal of the project was to display an all-encompassing look at African American history and culture. Covering 10,000 Square feet, the “I’ve Known Rivers” pavilion consisted of documents, artifacts, photographic murals, audiovisual displays, and exhibits. Scott worked with Sybil Morial, First Lady of New Orleans, and several other New Orleans based artists such as Martin Payton and Clifton Webb to bring the project to fruition.

In 1992 Scott’s artistic achievements were rewarded when he received a genius grant from the MacArthur Foundation. Scott enjoyed a rich family life as well, raising five children with his wife Anna Rita. Scott was displaced by hurricane Katrina in 2005 and had intended to return to New Orleans before passing away in 2007 at Methodist hospital in Houston, Texas.

Note Author: Lee Facincani