 |
| Ingridmwangiroberthutter (Kenyan-German, b. 1970) Chameleon, 2003 3 c-Prints 100 x 80 centimeters Courtesy the artist The African American woman, characterized by modern day media as exotic and animalistic, is expected to perform in an over-sexualized manner. The animal instincts within all human beings are compared to scavenger-like desires. But my painting of choice, entitled Ingridmwangiroberthutter, exemplifies the strength and power that comes with a woman of substance. The three pictures (only one is displayed above), detailed with the image of blood and veins, constructs an artistic account of the subject's insides. With the vessels bulging, and the gory imagery of blood dripping from the canvas onto onto the perspective of the viewer, is not "normal". The artist is providing his or her audience with a true inside look into the subject. Her "insides" include both her physical and mental state. The physical is obvious, as the piece exposes the components of a functioning human being. The emotional condition stems from the subject's facial expression, her posture, and various poses. She looks determined, revengeful, powerful, but not sexual. The second pose, with her hands placed behind her back, deliver two possible interpretations. This positioning can either be taken as submissive or prideful. The feeling of submission is emitted because there is not much one can physically do with hands placed behind their back. For one, you cannot protect yourself, forcing you to submit to any attacking force. This pose can also represent pride or self-esteem because she is covering her butt rather than exposing it. If her rear end were shown in the picture, as today's media often perpetuates as the action of an African American female, the picture would elude to sex and other negative connotations. The last pose, the curling of the subject's hands, too seems powerful. I cannot help but feel a sense of power within the subject's fingers, as if she is holding something of importance. This piece of work can be interpreted in many ways. However, given the subject's positioning and daring imagery, the artist's work, in my opinion, projects power. |
