K.J Marshall - American history from the 'others' eye

FROM THE OTHERS EYE

Kerry James Marshall creates art promoting the black race and their culture. His art represents the African American population and is trying to give a positive outlook in their traditions but when we really look at it, is it really promoting that culture or is it taking socially constructed stereotypes and reinforcing it, therefore positive discrimination. Would we count this as adding to the racism they encounter each day?

 

Marshall’s art is about american history in the perspective of the African Americans. Which I believe is does have a positive effect due to it being insightful to the culture, but can it have a negative effect by reinforcing historical events and the discrimination that is caused by these events.

The art collection was displayed at Progressive's Cleveland headquarters. Whist it was displayed there were many mixed opinions on the piece from employees. In an interview with Marshall he tells us about a group of black employees saying, "white employees call us names because that picture is up there." He also said  “some employees loved it whilst others were never going to get past the darkness of those figures”. This shows the negative output it has in the circle of racism. It just provokes it.

 

Even though I think Marshall’s art can be taken wrongly and just influences and feeds the racism already occurring due to historical events and culture that is being portrayed in the paintings. I think it is still a positive thing to be able to actually see some sort of media where black men and women are the features, where we are able to actually take notice and there to be recognition. I think more exposure of  black people in any form of art is important, as this will help the regular existences of black people in any median and therefore help it become a normal occurrence.

 “everything we do has to be ratified and endorsed by a power structure that is white. And that reinforces a kind of racial hierarchy where whiteness is the privileged position to be in, and ethnicity is problematic. But if you are always standing on the sideline as witness to other people achieving great things, then ultimately that has a damaging psychological effect because it undermines your sense of self-worth.” - K.J Marshall

Pictures-
http://vagazine.com/art/kerry-james-marshall-art-history-counter-archive/
http://www.gregkucera.com/marshall.htm
http://www.pbs.org/art21/images/kerry-james-marshall/our-town-1995
http://www.jackshainman.com/artists/kerryjames-marshall/

http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20141023-i-show-black-is-beautiful