During the art exhibition of Danielle
Scott for her collection “Kinfolk”, she discussed her story, inspirations,
and the change in her art style. The journey of Danielle Scott has been transformative,
leading to shifting her approach and exploration of new mediums in order to entirely
capture the stories and experiences that her African ancestors encountered. Having
admired her works in person, it is transparent how Scott’s art is deeply rooted
in her cultural heritage and commitment to social justice. Her dedication to
researching the history of black families in the United States is reflected in
the use of materials and documentation in her work, creating layered portraits
that tell the stories of each of her subjects and ultimately illuminate the
hidden treasures of her ancestry and lineage. With the artist’s hard work and
talent, her exhibition has been “highly effective at translating events, facts,
and ideologies into stories,…, making objective things into subjective forms we
can experience, feel, and, importantly, remember” (The Art of Activism, 2021). It's
truly inspiring to see an artist using their platform to address important
issues and elevate the voices of marginalized communities.
The depiction of African Americans as
inherently violent in our society is not only inaccurate and unfair, but it
also perpetuates harmful stereotypes that have real-world consequences. It
ignores the structural and systemic factors that contribute to violence in
communities, such as poverty, lack of access to education and healthcare, and
discriminatory policing practices. Furthermore, this depiction is often used to
justify disproportionate and violent responses from law enforcement, leading to
the unjustified deaths of many African Americans. It is crucial to challenge
and dismantle these harmful stereotypes and instead recognize the diversity and
complexity of African American experiences and histories. We must work towards
creating a more just and equitable society where all individuals are treated
with dignity and respect. Scott’s exhibition is a perfect example of what has
been mentioned in the book titled The Art of Activism, stating “Art
allows us to imagine things that are otherwise unimaginable, and then to live
them.” Sadly, for many unenlightened people, it is hard to think highly of a
person of color; however, the artworks from the ”Kinfolk” collection are indeed a powerful
tool for raising awareness on this issue. It captured the audience’s attention
and sparked their curiosity with the collage made up of several pieces of information
about the history of Africans. Every piece in the exhibition contained work documents
of the slaves and individuals dressed in lavish traditional clothing and crowned,
envisioning how Africans should be treated in our society. Africans had
contributed so much to our society and economy; therefore, they must be respected.
Two of her artworks that stood out
the most to me were titled Queen of Angels (2020) and Hatwell, Gray,
Bernaby, and Eugene (2020). First off, Queen of Angels (2020): According
to Danielle Scott, this artwork is all about her professor who mentored her for
years, and every detail added to it was not just a random collage of documents
but the relationship between the artist and her mentor and also, touches of their
shared ancestry and lineage. In my own interpretation, however, there is an
intersection of racism and sexism. To me, her mentor embodies every woman before
they were given rights and even women to this day, especially women of color. Women
were and still are “deemed weak” (Understanding Patriarchy, Bell Hooks, pp. 3),
and throughout history, women have fought for the right to vote, access to
education, equal pay, reproductive rights, and an end to gender-based violence
and discrimination, all while providing caretaking and nurturing their families.
This is well-demonstrated in the artwork with the woman’s blouse satiated with
people she cared most about, I interpret it as despite many hardships she faced
as a black woman, she still managed to carry her loved ones on her shoulder and
show up to where she needed to be with strength and confidence.
Hatwell, Gray, Bernaby, and Eugene (2020) is the artwork that had the
most impact on me. With the photograph of four beautiful children dressed in their
prepossessing traditional clothes, this art reminds me of how vital the youth
is in any part of society, as they represent the future of it. They are the
ones who will inherit the world that we live in, and it is important that they
are given the tools and resources they need to be successful in that world. We
need to invest in them for several reasons. Young people have a natural ability
to think outside the box, and to come up with new and innovative solutions to
problems. They have a fresh perspective on the world that can help us to see
things in a different way and can lead to positive change. We must provide them
with education, training, and support, we can help young people to develop the
skills they need to succeed in their chosen careers. This, in turn, can lead to
a better quality of life for everyone. Also, by supporting their creativity,
leadership potential, diversity, and long-term success, we can ensure that the
world is in good hands for many generations to come.
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