'Conversation' — A Mural by Victor Ekpuk — Debuts at BSU

Walking into the bright atrium of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Communication Arts Center, students are now greeted by a powerful new work of art: "Conversation," a mosaic tile mural by internationally recognized artist Victor Ekpuk. Suspended across a bridge that joins classrooms with performance spaces, the two large heads face one another in dialogue, echoing Bowie State's legacy of diversity, cultural richness, and courageous voices.

Victor Ekpuk is a globally acclaimed artist and Smithsonian Fellow whose three-decade career has placed his work in some of the world's most prestigious collections.

Ekpuk, a Washington, D.C.-based artist born in Nigeria, is known for developing a visual language rooted in Nsibidi, a centuries-old system of symbolic communication. "My visual vocabulary is informed by Nsibidi - a system where forms and concepts are distilled to their essence," he explained. "That process allows me to create glyphs that live at the intersection of art and writing. In this mural, I used that language to capture the spirit of Bowie State University while paying tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr."

Every detail of Conversationcarries meaning, from spirals that suggest the sun, life and growth to motifs that represent equality, leadership and community. At its center is an ancient Nsibidi symbol for love, unity and togetherness. "The piece incorporates symbolic elements that encourage viewers to slow down, look closely, and find their own meanings," Ekpuk said. "I wanted it to feel like a dialogue between the art and the community."

The mural's placement adds another layer of symbolism. The two heads face one another across the atrium bridge, forming what Ekpuk describes as a metaphor for communication itself. "The design responds to the building's architecture," he noted. "It reflects Bowie State's recognition of diverse voices and cultural richness - both within the university and the wider community."

That richness is what Bowie State has represented since its founding in 1865. As Maryland's oldest Historically Black College or University (HBCU) and one of the 10 oldest in the nation, BSU has long been a home for many cultures and perspectives. Ekpuk saw that history and mission as central to his design. The heads filled with "words" are not only symbols of Dr. King's ideals but also mirrors of student voices and the academic departments housed in the building: Communications, ROTC, History & Government, and Language, Literature & Cultural Studies.

The piece also honors Dr. King's vision in a deeply intentional way. The building's exterior features an abstracted sound wave based on a phrase from King's 1964 Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech: "This faith can give us courage to face the uncertainties of the future." Ekpuk's mural extends that vision inward, using symbols both ancestral and modern to interpret King's message of justice and equality. "This work interprets the essence of Dr. King's vision," he said. "It reflects not only his message of justice and equality but also the voices of Bowie State students themselves."

Creating the mural was a feat of collaboration. Ekpuk worked with the Maryland State Arts Council, project managers, architects, engineers, mosaic fabricators, and lighting designers to bring his design to life at such a scale. "Large-scale public art like this is always a collaboration," he emphasized. "While the symbols and ideas are mine, the realization depended on many hands working together."

For the artist, however, the meaning goes far beyond the process. "Personally, this is a legacy project," he reflected. "I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to contribute my voice to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a giant who walked this earth."

His message to students and young artists is just as moving: "Art can be a loud and powerful voice - speak through it."

With "Conversation," Bowie State has gained more than a mural. It is a living dialogue between past and present, between history and hope, and between the ideals of Dr. King and the everyday voices of students. The work stands as both a celebration of the university's proud legacy and a call for every student to see themselves as part of that ongoing conversation.