Kara Walker
Kara Walker brings attention to and challenges racial stereotypes by exaggerating features and creating narratives through large silhouette cut outs.
Many narratives that Walker creates appear to be from old histories of slavery, but upon further examination, viewers are exposed to issues that are unfortunately still relevant today. The use of silhouettes allow for the viewers to feel as though they are part of the narrative, and are then forced to think deeply and handle the situation. The cutouts being larger than life add to the overwhelming feelings, and from this conversations rise. |
In the classroom:
Students introduced to Kara Walker will be able to apply her concept of silhouetted figures to address social issues. Creating installation art provides viewers with an interactive experience, and with the figures being larger than life, they literally tower over the audience. By working in this manner with Walker as inspiration, students will make long lasting impressions of the social issues most important to them.