One of the youngest recipients of a MacArthur ldquo;geniusrdquo; grant; Kara Walker; an African American artist; is best known for her iconic; often life-size; black-and-white silhouetted figures; arranged in unsettling scenes on gallery walls. These visually arresting narratives draw viewers into a dialogue about the dynamics of race; sexuality; and violence in both the antebellum South and contemporary culture. Walkerrsquo;s work has been featured in exhibits around the world and in American museums including the Museum of Modern Art; the Guggenheim; and the Whitney. At the same time; her ideologically provocative images have drawn vociferous criticism from several senior African American artists; and a number of her pieces have been pulled from exhibits amid protests against their disturbing representations. Seeing the Unspeakable provides a sustained consideration of the controversial art of Kara Walker.Examining Walkerrsquo;s striking silhouettes; evocative gouache drawings; and dynamic prints; Gwendolyn DuBois Shaw analyzes the inspiration for and reception of four of Walkerrsquo;s pieces: The End of Uncle Tom and the Grand Allegorical Tableau of Eva in Heaven; John Brown; A Means to an End; and Cut. She offers an overview of Walkerrsquo;s life and career; and contextualizes her art within the history of African American visual culture and in relation to the work of contemporary artists including Faith Ringgold; Carrie Mae Weems; and Michael Ray Charles. Shaw describes how Walker deliberately challenges viewersrsquo; sensibilities with radically de-sentimentalized images of slavery and racial stereotypes. This book reveals a powerful artist who is questioning; rather than accepting; the ideas and strategies of social responsibility that her parentsrsquo; generation fought to establish during the civil rights era. By exploiting the racist icons of the past; Walker forces viewers to see the unspeakable aspects of Americarsquo;s racist past and conflicted present.
#1418488 in eBooks 2012-09-10 2012-09-10File Name: B00EEQFDLC
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Equally suitable as a college or university level textbook or on your coffee tableBy GaMDThis book is an absolute treasure and a wonderful delight to read. It is vividly and passionately written. The authors compendium of knowledge on such a diverse subject is impressive. The stories transcend several millennia and encompasses familiar and forgotten treasures. The psychological dissection of what motivates conquerors and art collectors is enlightening. This book has the potential to appeal to any individual who has an interest in art; history; or motivational psychology.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy P. SuciuGood0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great book! Loved the pictures and high book qualityBy AnnGreat book! Loved the pictures and high book quality. Information was comprehensive and up to date.