ABOUT THE ARTWORK:
This series of art is created within the context of questioning the relevance, significance, detriment and racial angst of a naming system brought about by the institution of slavery and the stripping of human identifiers (name, place of origin, language).
Prior to Africans being enslaved and shipped to the Caribbean and what was to become the United States of America, tea and sugar were very expensive in Europe and the United Kingdom. When the triangular trading of Africans ended after some three hundred plus years, tea and sugar were affordable by many in Europe and the United Kingdom. After legalized slavery ended, many freed slaves took last names that were thought to be prestigious such as the names of former U.S. Presidents. Ironically, many of the names taken were of slave owning Presidents.
Assemblage: oak wood, wire, tea bags, deconstructed aṣọ òkè Ghanaian hand woven cotton fugu (smock), acrylic medium, galvanized steel hardware cloth, iron chain, steel sign
H 72" x W 48" x D 3"
(2017)
Will ship by freight or may be picked up locally. The work will be well packaged. If you have any questions please correspond through eBay.