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Cut paper silhouettes were popular during the 18th century before the advent of photography as an inexpensive way to record a person's appearance and create family portraits. I have been researching the history and art of cut paper silhouettes for a project I have in mind.
While I was off Googling silhouettes, I came across a great interview on PBS by Kara Walker. Walker is a contemprary African American artist known for her black paper cut out silhouettes of characters from the Antebellum South. Many of her installations are life size cycloramas where the worlds she creates initially appear beautiful, playful, and gentile but are ultimately disturbing and violent. Much of Walker's work explores contemporary race relations, gender identity and sexuality. I really admire her work and the bold way she approaches the subject of race.
My ears perked up during the interview when Walker talks about watching her father, a professionally trained artist, working in his studio. She was a little girl but knew that she wanted to be able to draw like him. Her story reminded me of when I used to babysit for my neighbor's children, the wife was an artist and had a studio on the first floor of their home. I loved visiting her studio and looking at the drawing she had pinned up around the room. Most of her drawings were figure drawings and studies, the bodies looked so elegant and fluid. I remember thinking to myself, that I wanted to be able to do that. For Walker "that" meant becoming an artist, for me "that" is TBD.
Song of the Day, Metal Heart by Cat Power
Interview with Kara Walker on PBS, Kara Walker link.
