Titus Kaphar (1976 - )
American contemporary painter and filmmaker
whose work reconfigures and regenerates
art history to include African-American subjects.
Look at his absolutely stunning work of art
entitled Enough About You (2016) --
The following is a quotation from Titus Kaphar
(found here) explaining this painting's purpose
and the erasure of black lives that it seeks to reverse --
"Enough About You wasn’t a commission. At the time Yale was having these discussions, or attempting to, about a number of different race issues. There was this painting, which showed Elihu Yale with two other white men signing some document, and this young black boy on the side who was serving them—he had a steel collar and a lock around his neck. And so that painting is something that the university owns and it was challenging.
When I first saw the original painting, I began to do some research on that little boy. I could find everything I wanted about every other detail in the painting, but there was nothing about him. No history. And so I wanted to find a way to imagine a life for this young man that the historical painting had never made space for in the composition: his desires, dreams, family, thoughts, hopes. Those things were never subjects that the original artist wanted the viewer to contemplate. In order to reframe the discussion, I decided to physically take action to quiet [and crumple] the side of the painting that we’ve been talking about for a very long time and turn up the volume on this kid’s story. And that’s the reason why I started that painting."
Yes, turn up the volume!
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This post is also being linked to
Sunday in the Art Room HERE
35 comments:
The crumpled painting is so impactful and the title is perfect!
Powerful, filled with meaning, I want the artists to now tell me more about the young man.
I could not love that more.
...Debra, thanks for the introduction!
Never knew about this. Thanks for sharing.
I love the story behind Enough About You. Fabulous.
I've seen some of his works in person. They're always impactful.
That's an amazing painting!
@ Kathy G -- How lucky you are! I'd love to see an exhibition of his work!
OMG. His work is stunning. So beautiful. That Yale painting redone is fabulous. I am heading out to Google prints for sale. Thank you for this!
Nope. Doesn't look like any prints are available. 🥹
The story of the boy and the painting is so powerful. Art has a strong voice in all venues and it is a way to "Turn up the volume. Love this post.
I saw the original from Yale. This is so powerful. Genius.
"Enough About You" says it all without saying a word. Brilliant!
I wonder if a copy should be made of this and sent to the White House.
Very powerful painting and message.
That's powerful art, much needed. Thank you for showing us.
I've been wondering about your Beautiful Women blog, and wonder if it might return with a monthly post? That shouldn't be so much pressure, and I really value your doing it. Daily was like a part time job, a bit too much.
Very talented.
Thanks for introducing him to us. What a talent he has.
What a brilliant work of art. So insightful and powerful
Can he do one for our indigenous people ?
Thank you so much for sharing this, Debra.
@ Boud -- I think a monthly post could be doable. I'll try to post one on the same date each month, like the 1st or 15th or something reliable like that. I'll keep you and other readers posted once I'm ready to go!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elihu_Yale_with_Members_of_his_Family_and_an_Enslaved_Child
Linda pintura. Te mando un beso.
@ Mike -- Thanks for that informative link!
FANTASTIC painting.
Succinct, impactful, thought out. Art speaks volumes.
Erasure needs to be outlawed.
XOXO
Great idea for a painting.
Power of truth is undeniable
👏👏👏
Great talent!!!
So many stories never get told or get rewritten to make the person who tells them look better. These pieces are great, and love the how the story was turned around. Let the little boy have his say because I'm sure the other men always had theirs. Have a great start to the new month.
Lovely post
Debra, I'm happy that you shared this particular post with SITAR. The art speaks volumes to those who listen.
PS thank you for sharing with SITAR and have a very nice day.
What a powerful painting. Art has a voice if only we would stop and look. Thank you for sharing this artist and painting.
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