Often it is easy to ignore what is not placed in front of you. Of course you realize that we should empower women, and we should confront racism and sexism, but how regularly are you truly confronted with these issues? Kara Walker, a painters daughter, early on knew that she would confront people with these real life issues through art.
When you think of silhouettes, you think of dainty figures, and old fashioned themes, Kara Walker may change your view. Walkers installation art includes large silhouettes and shadows to expose the racism and sexism in classic tales such as "Gone With The Wind" by Margret Mitchell.
"Gone" by Kara Walker, created in 1994, was her final MFA installation piece when graduating from Rhode Island School of Design. In addition to shadows, Walker employs the use of thrown colorful light so your shadow is in line with her silhouettes. At first glance, this piece looks almost whimsical. However, when you get closer and begin to examine, nothing about these images bring whimsy. Walker does use her viewers to imply meaning, with all figures being black, the use of stereotypical depictions of the elite, in contrast to the slaves makes you really think about how the past in portrayed in these famous movies.
Through these images, the ideas of femininity are portrayed through this style of silhouettes, in contrast to their darker and more realist subject matter. Be it the dread-headed figure literally "popping" out children, or the boy being thrust into the air from his erection, this is quite the though provoking contrast to the lovely couple leaning in for a kiss.
How is this feminist, you may be wondering. Kara Walker uses her art to highlight very controversial issues. Not only is the act of creating these images rather feminist of Ms. Walker, being that she is a woman of color highlighting social issues, however she also offers a view that is deeper than "white-washed" history. By placing the viewer into the work she creates, it confronts our idea of what class, race, and history really are.
Kara Walker poses the question, do you really believe in history the way it was told? Should we challenge our views of race, and class? Place yourself into this silhouette, what do these images change about your opinion of the very typical feminine art works such as silhouettes, and just maybe there is a little bit more to it.
To learn more about Kara Walker, and her artistic style, watch this short video.