1. Tim Okamura is a Japanese Canadian artist who makes realist portraits, oil painting and using spray painted graffiti as well. In the painting titled, “I Love Your Hair”, he found new subjects to use for this mixture of realism and graffiti art. This painting has an African American woman posing with an afro, with the text “I Love Your Hair” in the background. I believe Tim Okamura used his painting to resist against racism and the insecurities that African American’s might have about their appearance. The message that Tim Okamura is trying to send out with this piece of art is that African American people’s natural features should be admired by others and that people should embrace their natural features. There are multiple images of beauty parlor signs in the background, which I think could just be inspiration from stuff he’s seen in New York. I believe it could also be putting an emphasis on the woman’s hair, since we know this piece is really trying to persuade you that this woman’s hair is something that should be appreciated. I found that the size of the woman’s hair really stood out, since he could’ve chosen other hairstyles. Instead, he chose a natural hairstyle that was bigger and really caught your eye. This entire portrait is very natural and uses realism to emphasize natural beauty, specifically in African American peoples features. This art piece shows resistance against the beauty standards for hair, which has usually been straight (as you’ve seen in most princesses, female hero’s, etc.) and mostly a hairstyle you see on white people. This piece pushes against the social norms and shows that black women’s natural hair is just as beautiful. Based on the above text about Tim Okamura can you add substantial insight and advance the text. Supports responses with relevant evidence and examples where appropriate.
2. Gordon Parks (photographer)
The photograph shows that people of color have to enter a specific door separated from people of non-color “whites”. In 1956, This photograph was created to show the reality of racial segregation in the United States. It shows the historical record of how African Americans were treated back in the day. The photograph was made to spread awareness, so people can see the discrimination black people faced, and not be forgotten to inspire future generations to continue the fight against racial segregation. It was created to expose the treatment of the woman and child face due to their skin color. The photograph also captures a form of silent protest against racial segregation, by the women and the child standing by the sign “Colored Entrance” with a look of disappointment, because of the unequal treatment. In addition, the photograph demonstrates the dehumanization of colored people. The photograph was created to resist racial segregation and dehumanization and to expose the treatment of colored people. Based on the above text about Gordon Parks (photographer)
Responses add substantial insight and advance the text. Supports responses with relevant evidence and examples where appropriate.
reference:
https://portraitcompetition.si.edu/exhibition/2016-outwin-boochever-portrait-competition/i-love-your-hair/
https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/department-store-mobile-alabama/sQFKGbsYoOhaWQ?hl=en
