Open AccessThe Artist's Hand
Author(s) -
Grace Peter
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
elements
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.345
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 2380-6087
pISSN - 2378-0185
DOI - 10.6017/eurj.v16i1.14059
Subject(s) - portrait , identity (music) , perspective (graphical) , power (physics) , art , art history , aesthetics , race (biology) , sociology , visual arts , gender studies , physics , quantum mechanics
This paper explores the power of portraits and their ability to redefine race and identity in time. In times of exploitation and disregard, black culture has been defined by the lends and hands of others. However, the emergence of black artists is now bringing light to a more personal perspective of their identity and culture. Artists such as Gayl Jones in her book Corregidora, Oneika Russell's new Olympia 7, and John B. Martin's Portrait of James Armistead Lafayette create and redefine a people who tried to be erased. Through these self-portraits, the importance of art and its creator are brought to life.