Lofsna
Raymond
Prof.
Cacoilo
ART2631102
03/21/23
This
is What I know About Art
This is what I know about art
is about an autobiographical story by Kimberly Drew that highlights the
stressors of being a black woman in America, the pressure of society on a fresh
college student not having the liberty of “exploring liberal arts but rather
having to take the coursework to make valuable contributions to the world.” The
challenges she faced, the discouragement from peers and an advisor that was
supposed to be her guide through her transition. Drew went through so many of
us what college students go through when trying to figure out our path, the
stress of being undecided to “figuring out what we want” but doubting
ourselves. In her autobiography, Drew emphasizes the many issues that we face
today in society.
Drew’s
activism journey started when she was young, “refusing her teacher’s
expectations and turning instead to her immediate community of peers so that
she would not have to perform labor she had no interest in performing.” Her
whole life revolved around arts of all kinds, but it wasn’t until she started
her internship at the studio museum that she stepped into the activism world. While
doing her internship she discovered this new world about black artists and
their work. One of the main themes
discussed is the lack of exposure for black artist. Like many other works done
by black folks, they are the least to be exposed to the world and get
recognition. It becomes an issue when educating other people about individuals that’s
made an impact to the world and black people are never made part of that
education. This brings me back to this quote I read about how there’s a stigma
around black people’s life being tied to struggle. She experienced firsthand
the division and lack of inclusivity as a black woman navigating her way
through the world of art. There were many challenges that she had to while working
twice as hard, defending herself and work. As saddening as it was to find about
the lack of inclusivity, Drew took it upon herself to expose black artist. “I
also realized that I didn’t get many opportunities to learn about the artists
and movements that got me interested in art in the first place.” After doing
plenty of research, she created a blog and a Tumblr to “make the things she
needed to see in the world.”
The
intention behind creating the blog was to create a space for undiscovered
artists, to revive the work and show the importance of black artists. She
wanted to ensure that people knew that this side of the community existed and
was possible to pursue and create work outside of what society deems to be the
norm for people of color. “If a race has no history, it has no worthwhile
tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought, and it stands in
danger of being exterminated.”
One
of the moments that felt meaningful was discovering the work of Gonzalez
Torres. The use of two objects which consisted of two identical synchronized
clocks, that eventually fall out of sync. This piece resembles love and
partnership, it showcases unity and a strong connection between two people moving
together as one peacefully.
“Don't be afraid of the clocks, they are our time, time has been so
generous to us. We imprinted time with the sweet taste of victory. We conquered
fate by meeting at a certain time in a certain space. We are a product of time;
therefore, we give back credit where it is due: time. We are synchronized, now
forever. I love you.”
Drew uses her own story to show how deeply intertwined
activism and the arts can be. Through her storytelling, she challenges us to
create space for the change that we want to see in the world. It encourages us
to embark on our own journey of activism and encourages us to fight for change,
equality and to discover more of the world.
Felix
Gonzalez-Torres’ Clocks / Perfect Lovers - What you should know
(publicdelivery.org)
Kimberly Drew (June 2020). This is what I know about art.
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