In Memory of sculptor Melvin Edwards

Lafayette College mourns the recent death of artist and sculptor Melvin Edwards (1937-2026). A pioneer of Black abstraction whose work frequently reflected on civil rights, slavery and racism, Edwards passed away on March 31, 2026, at the age of 88.

Edwards’ statue, Transcendence, stands near Skillman Library

Edwards’ relationship with Lafayette College began in earnest during his time as an artist-in-residence at the college’s Experimental Printmaking Institute (EPI) in 2004–2005. This collaboration culminated in the 2008 dedication of Transcendence, a 16-foot-tall stainless steel installation located near the Skillman Library. The sculpture, which features Edwards’ signature use of chains and industrial forms, serves as a powerful symbol of the struggle and ultimate triumph of the human spirit.

Transcendence was commissioned to commemorate the life of David K. McDonogh, Lafayette College’s first Black graduate in 1844. Born into slavery in Louisiana, McDonogh attended Lafayette with the intention of becoming a missionary in Liberia; instead, he forged his own path to become a physician. Despite facing systemic racism and being denied an official medical degree by the College of Physicians and Surgeons due to his race, McDonogh practiced as a specialist in New York and is now remembered as a pioneer in American medicine.

At the dedication of Transcendence in September 2008, Edwards noted “Education is so important. With David McDonogh, you have the aspirations of education for someone who was so oppressed. This project is very close to my heart.”