I Will Not Bend an Inch Museum Reflection- Kaylan McGhee

Visiting Nancy Prophet’s I Will Not Bend an Inch exhibit reminded me of lessons from my First Year Experience class about the power of stillness and quiet observation. On my fourth visit to the museum, I stood before the sculpture, undistracted, letting myself fully take it in. That’s when I noticed the subtle details—the dents around the mouth, the crease under the right eye, the downturn of the eyebrows—that reveal a grimace of dissatisfaction. These small touches bring the sculpture to life and demonstrate Prophet’s careful craftsmanship; every detail seems intentionally carved from Magnolia wood to convey a specific emotion.

Prophet described the piece as representing “the result of a long emotional experience of restlessness, of gnawing hunger for the way of attainment,” and I believe she accomplished that beautifully. The sculpture’s lines and dents suggest a lifetime of struggle, and the wrap slowly enclosing the face makes me imagine a sense of eventual peace and release—a way of finding stillness and freedom from systemic pressures.

This work resonates deeply with me as a Black woman. Even without a history of extreme personal struggle, I face the weight of oppression and systemic challenges every day. The statue’s desire to hide from judgment mirrors the longing many of us feel for a moment of quiet, unburdened reflection. I see Prophet herself in this piece: one of the first women of color to graduate from the Rhode Island School of Design in the early 20th century, she endured racism, marginalization, and undervaluation while striving to express her artistry.

Overall, experiencing I Will Not Bend an Inch was both moving and inspiring. The exhibit’s subtle details, emotional resonance, and unspoken messages of resilience and pursuit of peace left a lasting impression.

By Kaylan McGhee CO' 29