Why are we (Black people) just black silhouettes on your Juneteenth art? I do not ask to admonish or accuse; I’m sure there’s an artistic reason for it. Or maybe you just wanted to draw it like that, which is valid too. I’m just on edge from how often I’ve seen people draw us in caricatures of literally having black skin, rather than having different skin tones like being darkskinned, brownskinned and lightskinned. Makes me feel like people see us as shadows or one big color more than diverse individuals.
I said in the caption of the post that i used a lot of inspiration from Aaron Douglas and Motown posters. all in which depict silhouetted Black figures dancing. This was important because the prompt i got was to create something that represented the Jazz off Jackson and Yesler scene in Seattle. these two streets were prolific in creating space for Black Seattleites and visitors. I also have other great Black artists in my mind when i think about the black silhouette and using the color black to represent Blackness like Kara Walker. It all comes from a very informed Black Art Historical context, which I felt was apt for an art museum. But I can also understand that if someone doesn't follow Black historical artists how they may not see the heritage i am paying homage to in my work.
These are some sketches of some of the other figures that didn't make it in the final backdrop. The piece went through many iterations and phases. I hope if anything you learn a bit more about Black artists from this ask. Please check out the works of Aaron Douglas and Kara Walker, i also would recommend reading Two Centuries of Black American Art by David Driskell
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