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icon: Kara Walker
In the Black Art World most people know at best Jacob Lawrence, Basquiat, Bearden, Ernie Barnes, Henry Ossawa Tanner, and Gordon Parks. All men. And while that’s all well and good, we need to know who’s keeping the torch lit for the Augusta Savages and Elizabeth Catlett’s of the World..
Meet badass Kara Walker.
Kara’s images should come with a warning label: CONTAINS HOT LIQUID. Her artistry is not for the faint of heart or for those who want to brush the dark history of America’s past under a nice suburban doorstep; instead her work will flood your cheeks and make the color black blush.
You know a Walker work when you see one. Bold brave images of slavery’s past: its power, the abuse of it…and sex. Raw sex. Not the Nelly Tip Drill kind; but the melancholy of slavery’s past and what it likely entailed on a day to day basis; particularly for black women.
Black and White paper cut out silhouettes? Now why didn’t I think of that? When I first saw Kara Walker’s work those were my initial thoughts. But GT can’t front. Her style is distinctly hers and is a testimony that certain things are meant to come through certain people.
Spellbinding, mesmerizing and downright theatrical. Iconic Indeed.
GT.
on October 7th, 2008 at 12:50 am
I know of her work, but never could remember her name. Hers are the most stirring, yet simple images I’ve ever seen. Awesome.
on October 7th, 2008 at 8:14 am
^^ me too.
on October 7th, 2008 at 11:36 am
Yep. Kara Walker. I went to see her show at the Whitney Museum of Art in New York and some of her images will paralyze you with illogical “WTF?” moments.
on October 7th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Kara do look like she’ll cut a chick…Her face says “Now do I look like I’m playing?” LOL..
That’s why I love this site. You will read things here that are not typically on other black blogs. Kara Walker is yet another example of untypical black fierceness. Sometimes I hate revisiting anything relating to slavery; but its a part of who we are as Americans.
Great Post.
on October 7th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Instead of Kara her name could be Kizzy. LMAO..
on October 7th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
I love and respect her work. It is uncomfortable, but the truth often is. She tells the stories America prefers to keep hidden. That takes guts, vision and talent of which she plenty.
on October 7th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Kara’s work is uncomfortable; that is why I like it. Her vision is fierce and in your face. Art should make you deal with truth and beauty. Kudos to this black woman for taking us to places deep within our psyche.
Damn, I feel the tears coming…
Peace.
~Ramona
on October 7th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
I agree with everyone’s expressed sentiment that her works makes you uncomfortable. When I went to her show at the Whitney there were plenty of flushed faces; but like Simone said the truth is often uncomfortable…yet freeing.
on October 7th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
I LOVE her work!!! I saw a piece called Autumn last week in the NY Times. It is always thought provoking. Most of the time it is not comfortable, but I really like the interactive quality..
on October 7th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
TJ.
I saw that piece last week…you know I right clicked and saved on that bad boy….
on October 7th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
I’m sad to say that I’d never heard of her. But I’m glad I just did. Crazy as it may seem, I kind of enjoy being uncomfortable. It pushes me to try to be comfortable on the inside. Does that make any sense? I wouldn’t say I’m fascinated with slavery, but truthfully, it’s something like that. It’s a morbid and uncomfortable curiousity. She spun it into art. Her thoughts aren’t far from my own probably. She’s just extremely talented about it. My stuff remains thoughts most of the time. People won’t dare mention it–that kinda pisses me off. Especially when discussing the Civil War. How people try to skate past that annoys me–I always mention it and LOUDLY. Ha! Sorry for the ramble.
I’d love to see more of her work.
on October 7th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
DOPE.