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In the Barkley L. Hendricks: Birth of the Cool video, I found it interesting how Hendricks worked with "normal" everyday poses of his subjects but sometimes decorated them to look like religious iconography, especially with gold leaf touches. #arth287

I found the Weems, Kitchen Table Series video to be interesting with its explanations of the symbolism of using kitchens. They summarize with: " Weems suggests that the familiar, unremarkable domestic kitchen is actually..an epicenter of family life and human drama." #arth287

@SobotaTatum Awesome piece! And you're right, it definitely looks like a graduation cap! Good catch :)

This piece by #JameaRichmondEdwards reminds me of summer because of the utilization of bright vibrant colors. However, the shape/ orientation of the canvas remind me of a graduation cap. #arth287artoninsta

@annepasta3 Love this! Clear, warm nights definitely remind me of summer, too.

@arth287superfan This is really interesting! On first glance, it reminded me of graduation too because it seemed to be an exit way out of college life and an entry ladder into a more adult world. I could also see how it might resemble the corporate ladder to some, like you said!

#arth287artoninsta This piece by steve locke makes me think about how after school I will be staring down a corporate ladder much like how you look at this abstract ladder. The ladder in the middle makes it the norm, but there is plenty outside the norm too

@Makayla9032 @DevanShimoyama Love this one! The warm tones and the person's composition and stance remind me of summer, too.

This portrait by @DevanShimoyama represented summer to me because of this usage of orange and red colors and the fact that the subject is sitting in a sunflower field. I liked the way the warm tones of the photo reflected a summer feeling. #ARTH287ArtonInsta

This is a piece by Michalene Thomas. It reminds me of summer because of the relaxed posture of the person in the portrait, and the vibrant colors on the walls. #ARTH287ArtonInsta

I love this piece by Divanshi Moyama because of its colors and interesting themes. Looks like the eyes are even daisies, no? Very summer-like! #ARTH287ArtonInsta

@RJDavis350 Love this! His expression is very intriguing. I wonder why the artist cut his facial representation in half with color? Does anyone think there is some symbolism there?

This exhibit showcases the realism of African American with a portrait of life. The man seems to have different perspectives shown with the two shades of color. #arth287artoninsta

@annepasta3 @kehindewiley This is so striking! I love the blue. I wonder if it is supposed to nod at royal blue, in particular? She looks incredibly regal and elegant.

What really intrigued me about this piece by Willie Cole was the careful sculptural aspect of this instrument. It's clear that every (purposefully?) broken piece is meant to make a symmetrical, visually striking overall structure. #ARTH287ArtonInsta

Loved this piece by Sanford Biggers. It is made of an antique quilt, textiles, acrylic paint, and spray paint. I asked him about the symbolism of its name - the Codes. #ARTH287ArtonInsta

@CWontwt Powerful. Thanks for highlighting this.

"And then the dreamer's dreamer had his balloon busted on a Memphis motel balcony.... And it was Chicago again and Harlem again, and San Francisco and D.C. and Cleveland and everywhere." #arth287

@hope_mutter Great point, Hope! It is important to recognize the gatekeeping that is happening within all artistic mediums, and especially those that we consider "one-of-a-kind".

I liked learning about how AfriCOBRA artists prioritized making their art accessible and widely distributed. I agree that just because an image is unique and one-of-a-kind does not mean it's art. Everyone, regardless of social status, should be able to have art. #arth287

'Tidal Volume' by Nate Lewis. As the lungs fill up with the complexities and social upheaval of the pandemic, the artist represents the fact that it becomes harder to breathe. Racial violence creates an added destruction of Black lives in a similar manner. #ARTH287ArtonInsta

Racial violence can include intergenerational historic trauma, not only present-day violence. In this artwork, Genevieve Gaignard shows a Black female looking towards the historic image of slavery and discrimination in her mind, or perhaps her recollection. #ARTH287ArtonInsta

"Shirley" by Rico Gatson. This portrait focuses on the bright impact that Black individuals have on loved ones and communities (through the metaphor of a sun delivering its rays to others) instead of focusing on the ways the world imprints on the person. #ARTH287ArtonInsta

Portrait-mural by Candy Carver of Maya Freelon's father. This is different than the representations of Black individuals in the 19th century we have discussed in class because it highlights the warmth and friendliness of the person, not their hardships. , #ARTH287ArtonInsta

Sanford Biggers' Codeswitch is a 'survey of quilt-based works' which was shown at the SpeedArt Museum. I like the fact that he utilized this historic medium to display a dynamic message about often overlooked cultural and political narratives. #ARTH287ArtonInsta

Nina Chanel Abney's "House of Reps" (2020) is part of the "In These Truths" exhibition at the Albright-Knox Museum. It's symbolic that Nina Chaney Abney featured a Confederate Flag in one of her panels, which looks to be trampled upon by the figures above it. #ARTH287ArtonInsta