Jane Durden

Piper's work makes the viewer conscious of their role in perpetuating racism/stereotypes. Dr. Bowles writes, "she stages herself as an object for inspection, but in a way that ultimately reveals less about the artist than about the viewer’s own attitudes toward race" (pg. 112).

A quote from Dr. Bowles' Adrian Piper piece that allowed me to better wrap my head around The Mythic Being was that it "represents the specter of a debased blackness — a figment of the white imagination, to which all blacks, including Piper, are compared" (pg. 111). #arth287

This work by Robert Pruitt reminds me of summer bc of the aloe vera plant that is tied around the figure; I often use aloe in the summer to treat sunburn. I wonder about the work's title, "Veneration Ceremony." Is the figure in the painting regarded as a saint? #arth287artoninsta

This work by Zoë Charlton reminds me of summer because of the brightly-colored palm trees/waves. I find the inclusion of black waves and someone's backside at the bottom interesting -- I wonder why she did so. It definitely changes the way I look at the piece. #arth287artoninsta

@hope_mutter This also reminds me of summer, which is interesting, as the cool colors used in the piece are typically ones I would associate with winter/the cold. However, the way the subject is standing with his open shirt conveys a relaxed feeling that I think you only get in summer.

This portrait by Amy Sherald reminds me of summer because of the figure's outfit. I love how the artist uses the pattern of the clothing to convey form, and how the green leaf stands out among the muted neural colors throughout the rest of the composition. #arth287artoninsta

@j0rdanjamal This also reminds me of summer, and their clothes confirm that it's warm in this picture. I feel like you rarely see photos of people laughing and smiling in the winter/cold months compared to summer.

I commented on Mickalene Thomas' "Portrait of Sidra" because the texture of the brushstrokes on her face caught my eye. I also am wondering about the subject, and asked the artist about that and what the first step of their artistic process is. #arth287artoninsta

I chose Thomas' “The gleam of the mornings first beam” to comment on, as the artist's choices are very intriguing to me. I asked him if he always planned for it to be this large, and I'm also interested in why he chose to cut/rip that part of the flags. #arth287artoninsta

Mickalene Thomas expands the possibilities for representing Blackness in "Portrait of Jessica" by leaving a recognizable aspect of her identity - her afro - without paint. For it to be a symbol of her Blackness, Thomas shows that it does not need to have color. #arth287artoninsta

Sheila Pree Bright's photograph of a Georgia State Representative standing in solidarity with mothers whose children have fallen to police brutality strongly addresses racist violence with the powerful words written across her mask. #ARTH287ArtonInsta

Thomas is participating in an exhibit at the Nasher museum that features many NC Black artists. I find the exhibit's wide range of artworks and artists very compelling, as it illustrates how many incredible Black artists there are in this state alone. #ARTH287ArtonInsta

@anna_like_ana Spring usually reminds me of flowers, but I like this piece, as it's a reminder that the beginning of the pandemic also occurred in early spring two years ago.

'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

@ghb1145 These also really remind me of spring, as flowers in bloom are very symbolic of the season and what's to come!

These two pieces by Beverly Mciver are full of light and warm spring colors. The tulips remind me of warmth and sun, and the idea of new flowers growing after the winter season. #arth287ArtonInsta

@hope_mutter @GenevieveGaign1 I agree that this piece totally reminds me of spring, and I didn't even think about the idea of spring cleaning until you brought it up.

This is Ain't Nobody Got Time by Genevieve Gaignard. The floral and fruit motif of the wallpaper elude to Spring, and the many emblems of domestic labor evoke an idea of "Spring cleaning." I also like the subversion of the mammy caricature here. #arth287artoninsta

@Donovan_J50 I agree that it reminds me of spring, as even though there aren't actual flowers the way the colors mix look very natural and plant-like to me.