Kerry James Marshall Interview: Paint it Black

Рет қаралды 56,164

10 жыл бұрын

Imagine being seen for who you really are, a central figure in narration. In this powerful interview American artist Kerry James Marshall talks about how he explores the presence and absence of the black figure in art history.
"We live in a material world, in which the things we see shape our expectations." Meet artist Kerry James Marshall in this interview about his development as an artist, where he explains that he wishes to help make equality a reality by placing the black figure in the center of the painting. Marshall also talks about how growing up as a witness to movements and riots shaped his perception of the world, and how he found that art should be embedded in the political reality, and that as a painter he should work with social transformation.
Black invisibility is a psychological issue, Marshall says. It means that people do not want to see you in the fullness of who you are: "Reading The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison really is what set up this exploration, for me, of this simultaneous capacity of being and not being." As an artist Marshall has explored this idea of invisibility and visibility, presence and absence through the use of different shades of black on black, working with political events and historical figures, as well as reworking classic works of art from art history with black bodies and figures: "It's one thing to stand by and admire the work of other people, the moment that I recognize the greatness of those things it's unacceptable to me to not also try to match the sophistication and complexity and the appeal of those works, but doing it with images that have people who look like me in them."
Kerry James Marshall (b.1955) is known for his large-scale paintings, sculptures, and other objects that take African-American life and history as their subject matter. His work often deals with the effects of the Civil Rights movement on domestic life, in addition to working with elements of popular culture. Marshall graduated from Otis College of Art and Design in 1978.
Kerry James Marshall was interviewed by Kasper Bech Dyg at Kunsthal Charlottenborg, Denmark, 2014.
Camera: Mathias Nyholm
Edited by: Kasper Bech Dyg
Produced by: Marc-Christoph Wagner
Copyright: Louisiana Channel, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, 2014
Supported by Nordea-fonden

Пікірлер: 33

@patriciadon1266 3 жыл бұрын

I absolutely love Kerry James Marshall’s work!!! Black on black in Black!

@elainecubbins5333 4 жыл бұрын

He is so prolific and such an amazing artist.

@artistsonthecuttingedge8510 5 жыл бұрын

"The things we see shape our expectations" Preach!

@EWKification 7 жыл бұрын

Seeing is believing and Kerry decided to make his reality visible in the tradition of fine art painting, and succeeded. His work IS in museums.

@binkdawg9436 4 жыл бұрын

Wow this brother is deep

@zingdia 10 ай бұрын

His work calls out all the hypocrisies of this country, specifically the art world, and he does it in such a beautiful way. Thank you for inspiring us!

@oliviabossonart5177 3 жыл бұрын

Oh my gosh, just discovering this guy and I'm in love!!!

@shierocshieroc3735 2 жыл бұрын

Same here and it's a treat

@I_be_e 6 жыл бұрын

Amazing living artist right here people

@josephfaskew 3 жыл бұрын

Reminds me of the solidity and intellect of David Hammons. Very well spoken, thank you.

@henrybaillie-hamilton9453 6 жыл бұрын

I thing why not only white people by your paintings, is because it's so rear for black artists to have such deep connections with their soul. Your work for me is like crossing in to another dimension. If I can be truely honest, it gives me so much hope, in what it will be unleash in future black fine art, artists. Your work is not only fasanatining beautify, but, like John Leonnon, your message is so strongly uniquely beautify true, it has the power to Empower and teach the world. Thank you.

@LiemDuongArt 4 жыл бұрын

Your art is very interesting. The human figures are so active. Good job!

@nataliejones2894 10 ай бұрын

I just saw better homes, better gardens at the Denver art museum. I had never heard of him before. It almost brought me to tears. Such interesting complex and beautiful work, and so vivid. To hear his inspirations and goals is amazing .

@shierocshieroc3735 2 жыл бұрын

So glad this was recommended. I like this guy

@farawayeye8423 5 жыл бұрын

A great artist ❤️

@johnandkathleenodonnell4130 5 жыл бұрын

Seems like a lovely person. I like his art, too.

@Audion Жыл бұрын

Love your work! ♥️

@davidlewis6508 Жыл бұрын

There is a reality about how light is absorbed or reflected that every artist must consider when creating images. Photographers and painters are aware of this. But for the average person, the topic of melatonin and light can be an awkward conversation. For example, I take a picture with "my black friend," as they say, and you can see me clearly but my black friend's features are completely diminished in the photograph. And the black person will usually be quick to point out that fact but as a white person, I am uncomfortable mentioning that. Here, the artist, Mr. James, has embraced this and makes the rest of us, uncomfortable or not, think about this. It helps all of us to be more aware of the challenges of the people we share this planet with.

@saramiele7854 3 жыл бұрын

he is 100 percent correct, i absolutely agree with the fact that black people are not represented in art galleries etc. i think a lot of representation is laid on van gogh and michelangelo but its people like Kerry James Marshall who should be represented because he is trying to make a significant difference by painting people who are not portrayed in art as much as white people so that there is a sense of equality in art galleries at least, all over the world

@isihombing7896 Жыл бұрын

He should be a politician. Not because he talks about equality, black representation in art, civil rights movement. But because of his choice of words and how he phrase his sentences.

@rishis5569 2 жыл бұрын

king

@theconsciousobserver6829 Жыл бұрын

"It's not a retinal invisibility" perfectly explained

@dalicloud9 6 жыл бұрын

why does this only have 5000 views?

@sxalexander 6 жыл бұрын

Because views aren't a measure of how important a concept or artist is.

@caracicatriz23 3 жыл бұрын

Hola

@london8615 Жыл бұрын

50k now

@Audion Жыл бұрын

There's hidden meaning in the referenced swing painting between rival lovers.

@imanilwilliams Ай бұрын

Anybody know what the writing on his hat means? C1:99:00

@nononouh Жыл бұрын

230

@emrysciaran Жыл бұрын

Looking at Renaissance European art and expecting there to be Africans would be like looking at traditional African art and expecting to see Europeans, or looking at Japanese art and expecting to see people from Central America.