Period Piece

Period Piece, 2012. 18" x 24". Printed images, oil pastel, charcoal, and pencil on paper.

This work is about Black and White relations in the southern United States. It takes leaders from Black society, many of which had been slaves themselves and together with leaders from the Confederate States of America it forms a shape reminiscent of the periodic table of elements. This says we are all made of the same raw materials. The assembly of men here were picked because they came from the South with the exception of a few. The CSA military leaders have become symbols for Southern pride, known for, whether true or not, their nobility in being virtuous and brave warriors. Both races have been garnished with laurels. This says that the men from both sides are worthy of mention for their brave heroic acts.

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Boron and Tungsten have both been written in the work. They were added since their abbreviations are B and W respectively. This is for the Black and White race labels. It was also fitting since Tungsten Boride is extremely hard. Race relations have been an extremely hard central issue to the South's psyche for both parties involved. The events surrounding the George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin case have stoked the flames most recently. Central to the piece is a dark foreboding tree growing up from the mass of men. From it's limbs hangs a war trophy, like the laurel it is a symbol from Roman military history. The 'Spolia Opima' were the captured arms, armor and other effects of the defeated commander.

One last image drawn in red on the left side of the work is that of a Coolidge x-ray tube. It also resembles a canon. Tungsten is used to make filaments in these x-ray tubes as well as the ones in light bulbs. This is to say, "When will the light bulb go off in everyone's minds that we are all the same?"