For my research post, I will be covering the American contemporary artist Kara Walker who explores themes of race, identity, gender, sexuality, and violence in her work. Walker works with a variety of mediums such as painting, installations, film, and printing, and is mostly known for her black cutout silhouettes that fill the space in a room. Walker’s work leads the audience through a critical understanding of the past by exposing the ongoing physiological damages that have been brought on by slavery and its tragic legacy. The first image I have included below is of Walker’s piece titled “Daytime Rebellion”, 2001. This piece includes a projection of colors and shapes being cast on the wall over her cutout silhouettes made from black construction paper. While the whimsical angles and decorative details may be the first thing the audience notices, the longer you stare you will realize the disturbing nature of the image dealing with themes of sexual subjection and violence.