Existing comment:
ZSUDAYKA NZINGA
Protests Erupt
Mixed media (acrylic, vinyl, decorative hand-dyed paper, Ankara fabric, digital transfer and ink) on canvas
44 x 36 in.
Courtesy of the artist and Terrell Arts DC
ARTIST STATEMENT
This painting addresses issues of class and experience during the social unrest of the summer of 2020. It is based on a photo my husband took of our youngest daughter playing at her grandparents' house, having a tea party with her toys while 15 minutes down the street there were riots protesting police brutality.
Protests Erupt is a commentary addressing the privilege of being able to continue to live a regular life while others fought physically for rights and freedoms. It challenges notions of what defines revolution and the role of each participant. Am I, as a parent, creating a peaceful, safe, beautiful existence for a Black person participating in a revolution, but in a different way? Is there internal conflict as a parent when watching violence and shielding our children? I wanted to be able to address what was going on without centering the subject on violence featuring a Black person's body. And this is how my baby was taking it in and how I experienced that moment with her -- the awareness between us. |