An artist's unflinching look at racial violence | Sanford Biggers

Summary

In a thought-provoking presentation, a conceptual artist discusses their works 'Lotus' and 'BAM,' which address themes of history, race, and violence. 'Lotus,' a glass sculpture symbolizing transcendence, incorporates the harrowing imagery of slave ships to foster dialogue on America's legacy of slavery. 'BAM' memorializes victims of police violence by transforming African figures, erasing their identities, and reshaping them through gunfire, evoking deep emotional responses. Through their art, the artist aims to create a safe space for honest conversations about race and history, emphasizing the importance of dialogue in evolving as individuals and society.

Takeaways

• 🎨 The artist utilizes various mediums, including painting, sculpture, video, and performance, to spark challenging conversations.
• 🌸 'Lotus' is a significant artwork symbolizing transcendence and purity, incorporating the cross-section of a slave ship to address the history of slavery.
• 📜 The lotus blossom's design was inspired by a British slaving manual, connecting past atrocities to the present.
• 🗣️ The artist aims to universalize the trauma of Black America through their work, encouraging dialogue about shared histories.
• 🏛️ A 28-foot steel version of 'Lotus' was commissioned for the Eagle Academy for Young Men, emphasizing its impact on students affected by historical injustices.
• 🔫 The body of work titled 'BAM' addresses contemporary racial violence, inspired by the killings of unarmed Black citizens.
• 🧱 The figures in 'BAM' are treated to erase individual identities, making them easier to disregard, reflecting societal desensitization to violence.
• 🛠️ The artistic process for 'BAM' involves shooting wax-coated figures and casting the fragments in bronze, symbolizing the violence faced by victims.
• 💔 Viewers often connect emotionally with the artworks, feeling a deep resonance with the themes of violence and memorialization.
• 🔍 The artist emphasizes the need for thoughtful dialogue about history and race, encouraging society to engage in real conversations to evolve.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the artist's work?

The artist focuses on creating challenging conversations through various artistic formats, such as painting, sculpture, video, and performance, emphasizing history and dialogue as key materials.

What does the lotus symbolize in the artist's piece 'Lotus'?

In Buddhism, the lotus symbolizes transcendence and purity of mind and spirit. However, in this artwork, each petal represents the cross-section of a slave ship, linking beauty with the historical trauma of slavery.

How did the artist's 'Lotus' installation evolve after its initial creation?

After creating the original 'Lotus,' which is a seven-and-a-half-foot glass piece, the artist was commissioned to create a larger 28-foot steel version for the Eagle Academy for Young Men, a school for Black and Latino students.

What recent phenomenon does the artist mention in relation to their work?

The artist discusses the recent killings of unarmed Black citizens by police, highlighting the ongoing issue of racial violence and the lack of accountability for law enforcement.

What is the significance of the work entitled 'BAM'?

'BAM' is a body of work created in response to the killings of Black individuals by police. The artist aimed to erase individual identities of the figures to emphasize the collective disregard for their lives.

What process did the artist use to create the figures in 'BAM'?

The artist dipped the figures in brown wax to erase their identities, took them to a shooting range, and re-sculpted them using bullets. The final pieces bear marks from this violent process, resembling battle wounds.

How did the audience respond to the artwork in Miami?

An audience member expressed that they felt every gunshot to their soul and recognized that the artworks served as a memorial for victims of racial violence, both contemporary and historical.

What historical context does the artist provide regarding the recent killings?

The artist connects recent police killings to a history of violence against Black individuals that has persisted for over 500 years, suggesting that such discussions are necessary for societal evolution.

What is the artist's intention behind their artwork?

The artist hopes to create a safe space for honest exchanges and facilitate necessary conversations about history and race, aiming for individuals and society to evolve through thoughtful dialogue.

How does the artist view the role of questions in addressing issues of history and race?

The artist believes that asking questions is essential for progress, as it encourages deeper reflection and dialogue about difficult topics such as history and racial violence.