Ancestral Wisdom

Subsequent to historical disenfranchisement, in being black, generational wealth is demarcated by different standards than in other communities. Rather than inheriting financial stability, wisdom is inherited. A wisdom of the potential for black excellence, and its subsequent cost. I used acrylic paint to depict a little girl, with the hands of two apparitions on her shoulders. The art style of the cityscape behind her references the art of Aaron Douglas. Aaron Douglas was an important artist in the Harlem Renaissance, a movement that explored black identity. When learning of his contributions, I emulated his work by showing a persistent historical aspect of the black experience.  One hand shows an image of the prosperous Black Wall Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the other showed the aftermath of the Tulsa Bombing. Demonstrating an example of black prosperity, and the intimidation it causes. The background is green which has a symbolic double entendre, with green representing growth and hope, as well as envy. The hands on the girl’s shoulders and her expression of resilience illustrate a ubiquitous and almost innate awareness that for her, mediocrity isn’t an option. 

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