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patricia faragher's avatar

Kara Walker’s silhouette cut outs of antebellum slavery are powerful reminders of racial inequities that persist today. Her monumental sphinx like sculpture from 2014 titled “Sugar Baby” of a supine black woman wearing only a headscarf and made entirely from white, granulated sugar projects defiance in her subjugation. There are many levels of oppression defined in this work, which was designed to eventually crumble to dust.

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Wendy MacNaughton's avatar

Kara Walker is a force and all her work is phenomenal. Thank you for bringing her into this conversation! If folks want to learn more, I included Sugar Baby in the lesson we did with the National Gallery of Art on Monumental works of art. Thanks again Patricia!

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Neko Case's avatar

I am LOVING and appreciating your focus. THANK YOU for showing up here to help. XO!

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Wendy MacNaughton's avatar

Loving and appreciating yours, too, NK. Waving from the bay.

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Maureen Eastty's avatar

You are the reason this 82 year old lesbian great grandma decided to share her limited funds! Thank you for engaging my mind and heart. Making my art is what keeps me alive and kicking!

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Catherine Stifter she/her's avatar

I'm surprised you included The Dinner Party, which I worked on as an unpaid textile artist from 1978 until it opened at SFMOMA in 1979. Reminds me to look deeper into the meanings, and (many) controversies, surrounding the creation of this monumental feminist, yet classist and racist, art work. That will be my contribution this week! PS I was the "mother" of the Elizabeth Blackwell runner among other responsibilities. I have stories!

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Wendy MacNaughton's avatar

WOOOO! Love the education and learning! Please say more, Catherine. We will do more digging and can always edit/write an addendum.

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Catherine Stifter she/her's avatar

I will write something this week.

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Maureen Eastty's avatar

I saw the Dinner Party! Twice!

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Joi's avatar

So many great works here....some I don't know about it, so I can't wait to dive into more of these. I immediately thought of Nick Cave's Sound Suits and Agnes Denes "Wheatfield" . https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/17/style/wheatfield-ny-montana-agnes-denes

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Lori T.'s avatar
1dEdited

This piece went really deep. I found myself feeling some of these works. Thank you.

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Susan James's avatar

This work that you have done is so powerful and supportive. Thank you so much.

I’m totally inspired.

Love ❤️

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Alanna Pass- Outside the Box's avatar

I saw Amy Sherald's paintings on exhibit at the Whitney Museum, including the trans Statue of Liberty. Her entire body of work is a statement on the power of black individuals from all walks of life. It bowled me over. The intended censorship of her work at the Smithsonian is a shame, but it has also given her work more exposure and even more force. Yes, Art is an effective means of communication and resistance. Thank you!

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