Podcast Summary: All Of It – Terence Cummings’ 'Art for Change'

Host: Alison Stewart (WNYC)
Guest: Terence Cummings, Artist
Date: January 21, 2026

Overview

In this episode, Alison Stewart welcomes back Terence Cummings, a New Jersey-based artist with roots in Birmingham, Alabama, to discuss his latest solo exhibit "Art for Change" at the Arts Council of Princeton. The exhibition comprises 15 new print works addressing urgent social issues—ICE arrests, civil rights, mass incarceration—and explores how art can serve as a catalyst for social change. The conversation spans Cummings’ inspirations, the intention behind specific artworks, his process, and the impact he hopes to achieve, both as an artist and educator.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Role of Art in Social Change

• Bearing Witness & Reflection
  • Cummings frames his artistic mission as “bearing witness” to social change and reflecting the current moment in his works.
    • “I want to exist in the moment of change and report and have it reflect in my work.” – Terence Cummings (01:21)
  • Art serves as both a mirror and a vehicle for conversation about complex societal topics.
    • “Art can be less divisive and open ourselves up to cordial kinds of discussions.” – Terence Cummings (01:56)

Detailed Exploration of Featured Works

• ‘Stronger Together’

  • Depicts men and women forming a human chain— a tribute to solidarity reminiscent of the Civil Rights movement.
    • “I wanted to encapsulate how people from all demographics, ages came together at that time to fight for civil rights not for just for one group, but for this entire nation.” – Terence Cummings (02:56)
  • Artistic technique: builds images via black line charcoal drawings, layered colors on mylar or tracing paper, and careful color specification creating unique textures and patterns.
    • “Each color is layered on another layer, either mylar or tracing paper. And I spec the colors, laying one color on top of the other, forming new colors and bringing in textures and patterns.” – Terence Cummings (03:38)
  • On artistic legacy: highlights importance of art’s life beyond creation, including licensing and financial sustainability for artists.

• ‘Clarence’

  • Portrays Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas carrying a ladder, symbolizing the use of affirmative action to ascend, yet later undermining it.
    • “He used all the mechanisms of affirmative action to get where he was…and yet he was a motivating factor in rolling back affirmative action.” – Terence Cummings (05:10)

• Untitled Work: Enslaved, Incarcerated, Deported

  • Visualizes an enslaved person, incarcerated person, and deported person forming the American flag, highlighting a continuous legacy of marginalization within U.S. history.
    • “These experiences are experiences that we have already been through and can continue to go through and succeed.” – Terence Cummings (06:38)

• ‘Born American’

  • Series of children of varying skin tones wrapped in the American flag, intended to celebrate American diversity and shared national identity.
    • “The fact that I wrapped a brown child in the flag was a kind of a hot topic in certain circles that I kind of welcomed.” – Terence Cummings (07:37)
    • “We should embrace the fact that…marginalized groups contributed greatly to this country and embrace the fact that we are all Americans.” – Terence Cummings (07:37)

Artistic Philosophy & Teaching

• Shared Humanity

  • Cummings’ works orient around a central message of unity in diversity, urging recognition of interdependence.
    • “There are just so many forces that are trying to keep us separated...We are more effective, and what makes this country great is the diversity of all of us working together for a common goal.” – Terence Cummings (08:48)

• Mentoring Young Artists

  • Students often seek advice on expressing complex concepts visually, not just technical skill.
    • “Drawing beautiful pictures is one phase…But if you can combine the fact that you can draw a beautiful picture and execute a stunning concept, then you have the full package.” – Terence Cummings (09:31)

Notable Quotes

• “I want to exist in the moment of change and report and have it reflect in my work.”
  — Terence Cummings (01:21)

• “Art can be less divisive and open ourselves up to cordial kinds of discussions.”
  — Terence Cummings (01:56)

• “I wanted to encapsulate how people from all demographics, ages came together at that time to fight for civil rights not just for one group, but for this entire nation.”
  — Terence Cummings (02:56)

• “He used all the mechanisms of affirmative action to get where he was…and yet he was a motivating factor in rolling back affirmative action.”
  — Terence Cummings (05:10)

• “We should embrace the fact that…marginalized groups contributed greatly to this country and embrace the fact that we are all Americans.”
  — Terence Cummings (07:37)

• “What makes this country great is the diversity of all of us working together for a common goal.”
  — Terence Cummings (08:48)

Important Timestamps

• 00:31 – 01:11: Introduction and theme of the exhibition.
• 01:21 – 01:56: Cummings on creating art for social change.
• 02:36 – 03:38: Exploration and process behind ‘Stronger Together.’
• 04:54 – 06:05: Discussion of ‘Clarence’ and themes of affirmative action.
• 06:05 – 07:13: Artworks depicting American identity and history of marginalization.
• 07:13 – 08:21: Explanation and controversy around ‘Born American.’
• 08:21 – 08:48: Thematic focus on “shared humanity.”
• 09:20 – 10:49: Insights into teaching and mentoring emerging artists.

Conclusion

Through his exhibit "Art for Change," Terence Cummings leverages art as both testimony and provocation—capturing collective struggles and championing unity through diversity. The episode is not only an exploration of particular artworks but also a thoughtful meditation on what it means to create meaningfully, teach with intention, and foster critical conversations in American society through culture.