For Teachers: Deconstructing Visual Images
For Students: Researching Art
Use teacher instruction for submission of your analysis.
Analyze This (choose one)
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Your favorite work of art/image
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A series of artwork by one artist
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An art exhibit
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Research a Theme/ Topic/ Subject Matter commonly explored in Art
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Browse these LINKS to look at Art
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Remember to credit the art with:
Title of Artwork, Year of Production
Medium, Materials and Methods
Name of Artist
A hyperlink to more info
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Also, show the work:
Include/Post at least 3 pieces of artwork to show the work you write about.
Titus Kapher (American)
Language of the Forgotten, 2017
My Example
When I first saw this image I was drawn to it immediately. I was drawn to the overlapping portraits of two maybe familiar figures (don't know who). The figure facing front appears to be an image of an enslaved black women who is holding a confident pose in the foreground gazing right at us, the audience. The focus of the light is also on her face. She looks like she is confronting us with her eyes and strong facial expression. The figure behind her looks like a 3D monument of a man who seems powerful and influential in history, it looks like something you might find in a museum or in a government building. Both figures layered together raise some questions for me about their identity and relationship. The black and white aesthetic, clothing and hairstyles tell me that this may be referencing a time in history. Based on what I see, it is referencing African American experience and slavery in America. A part of American history I learned after immigrating to the US in 1985.
When I researched a little about this piece, I found out this sculpture is part of a series of works called Language of the Forgotten, which Princeton University commissioned Kaphar to create in 2017. "July 31, 1766, six enslaved African Americans were sold on the site where the sculpture now sits." The image is of the well known Thomas Jefferson (2nd president of the United States) and a women Sally Heming who was enslaved on his plantation.
In my opinion, this sculpture is about power and the power dynamics of this time in our history. I personally like the idea of this power being reversed in this sculpture where Sally Heming looks like she is coming out of the black box structure, which may be a metaphor for the forgotten time. I also think its a good reminder in the times we live in now, where there are abundant of racial tensions in many parts of our country. The additional painting I posted on the right also communicates a similar message to me, where the curtain of power is being removed. Find more info here.
