Survivor Spirit Emma

I �see red� when I consider the deprivation my enslaved ancestors suffered and the residual effects we can see today. In these portraits I... more

by Joyce Owens

Title

Survivor Spirit Emma

Artist

Joyce Owens

Medium

Painting - Acrylic On Wood

Description

I �see red� when I consider the deprivation my enslaved ancestors suffered and the residual effects we can see today. In these portraits I highlight the brilliant strength in these survivors of a shameful national past.
Racial discrimination, an enduring national phenomenon, is a continuing concern for me in my life and my life�s work. For about 5 years I have focused on a specific American injustice, slavery.

I seek neither revenge nor pity.

I want you to look at these victims in the light of their achievements despite the beatings, the starvation, the horrific working conditions, the loss of family, the denial of education and the inability to accumulate property and wealth.

These images of Survivor Spirits exist in the golden light of their glowing inner strength as beacons of hope and examples of endurance to us all. The progeny of African slaves can be proud to be the red-blooded proof that the slaves were able to survive against all attempts to annihilate them.

Uploaded

August 14th, 2008