I couldn’t have known that my favorite piece in the collection of Elizabeth Catlett’s work on view at the Brooklyn Museum would feature a mother and daughter, arms outstretched, hands grasped above my head. And I surely couldn’t predict that it would be my mother’s favorite piece too, or that we’d have the unique gift of being able to share our first viewing of this piece together. Carved from the trunk of a tree, the duo represent continuity and legacy. Like every work of Catlett’s in the show – block print, sculpture, drawing or otherwise – it’s symbolic and inspiring. Each sculpted visage seems poised respond to your peering eyes – but it is Catlett’s words that give voice to these bronze and terracotta femmes. The title of the show is an example of Catlett’s decisive language: “I have been, and am currently, and always hope to be a Black Revolutionary Artist, and all that it implies.” In sculpture as in prose, Catlett takes her identity as a Black woman seriously and mandates that the viewer do the same.

“Elizabeth Catlett: A Black Revolutionary Artist and All That It Implies” is on view at Brooklyn Museum until January 18.