I first saw some of Kara Walker's work at an exhibition in the Portland Art Museum. I was captivated by the graphic boldness of her cutouts, as well as the darkly humorous narrative that they tell. The characters are exaggerated, and usually fit African-American stereotypes from times of slavery. The pieces are active and engaging, but they convey darker messages. Many of the scenes depict instances of violence or abuse, which stand in contrast to the comical figures.
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| Kara Walker, Camptown Ladies, 1998, Cut paper and adhesive on wall, Variable dimensions |
