Secrets of the Dead
The reference I am using to create this work in progress is an old family photo that contained a headdress over the mantel. Since I could not bring myself to use the headdress in my artwork, I decided to take a more unconventional approach. Instead of feathers, why not use a more appropriate signifier? One that has more meaning to me. So to emphasize how facts are often whitewashed in history, an image of old socks hung on a short clothesline to represent the headdress came to mind and is now growing into fruition. The erasure of truth that is often found in post colonial narratives prompted me to dull down colors in this painting- washing all vibrancy away. This piece provides an astonishing window into colonization’s past and present: a thrilling story of power, culture, and influence. Here are some notions I cultivated during this process.
The Influence of Contemporary Art
Contemporary art is an incredibly powerful form of expression because it allows viewers to experience the artwork however they wish. Although I had a specific concept in mind when creating this painting, others will undoubtedly view different faculties within it. This is one of the aspects that drew me to contemporary art—the realization that no two people will have the same awareness when experiencing it. With this painting, instead of directly depicting colonialism with a literal representation of an Indigenous headdress, I wanted to explore how colonialism manifests itself in more subtle ways—like how we can still feel its presence even though it isn’t always visible or tangible.
The Importance of Representation
Although I chose not to include a literal representation of an Indigenous headdress in my painting, it’s important to note that representation matters—especially when discussing topics like colonization. For example, while Native Americans make up only 2% of the population in the United States, they are often absent from mainstream media and literature despite their integral role in shaping our society today. This absence further perpetuates negative stereotypes and misconceptions about Indigenous People—something that needs to be remedied if we want to move past our colonial past and ensure that all voices are heard equally going forward.
Conclusion
This painting was an exploration into how colonialism has shaped our current society—and how subtle reminders can still be felt even though it is no longer immediately visible or tangible as it once was centuries ago. This painting is taking an unconventional approach using muted colors and old socks instead of explicitly depicting colonization through a literal representation. I hope that viewers can come away from this piece with their own interpretations about what it means for them, personally, as well as its implications for our society as a whole. Ideally, everyone should have access to appropriate education to ensure history doesn't repeat itself and we are free to create a sustainable future for all.
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