"Cultural Ideologies of Identity"

An identity simply defined is a self - conception and self perception parallel to nationality, religion, origin, social class and a wide variety of other numerous factors. To construct an identity means to create moments within our lives of which holds significance. Moments include relationships, circumstances, visual representations, emotions as well as possible rejections.

The concept of constructing identity coincides with our previous class discussions on race, gender, and power, due to societies need to belong to a particular group or category. Dissimilar from a district culture or ethnicity to which one we may choose to belong to, race it's self is an identity that is often assigned rather than biological. In comparison to race racial identity can be fluid and the way one distinguishes his or her racial identity may transition with experience.

The way I  see the construction of identity occurring is society will continue to consciously change their views on how they particular circumstances, not to mention our identities will continue to be socially assembled.

Throughout my visit to the Montclair Museum I stumbled upon a few intriguing pieces. Each artists draws attention to the ideology of social identity while creating moments pertaining to relationships, circumstances, and visual representations. Cultural markers like style of dress, or psychological markers relating to skin color each hold significance, as well as other factors coinciding with race, gender, and religion.

Dawoud Bey 

"Smokey" (2001)

Pertaining to race, Dawoud Bey's "Smokey" photograph grabbed my attention. Dawoud Bey's intention was to photograph an African American male in downtown Chicago in his natural state. His photograph incorporates the subject Smokey, sitting on a bench in a local park. Purposely Dawoud Bey makes the beer can of which Smokey is holding the focal point of the piece in order to display an ideology. I highly believe that this portrait is symbolic of how society views the average African American male. While looking at the subjects eyes closely one can agree that he is trying to state his inner truth. The visual representation of "Smokey" holding the beer can gives off a somber yet emphatic emotion. 

Deborah Roberts 

"We Heard Thunder" (2017)

Deborah Roberts piece is an outstanding representation of societies unjust image relating to young black women throughout modern and previous times. Roberts image brilliantly demonstrates unsettling stereotypical ideologies. This piece displays a young black girl with contorted arms and legs, whose body is being constricted by the arms of a white individual, who is discriminating upon her. Roberts is speaking loud and clear while drawing attention to the pieces truth that black girls are not respected by society, which relates to identity. The young girl in the piece has clearly been injured, and broken down in a world whose intentions are to with hold her sanity. 

Barbara Kruger 

"Seeing Through You" (2004-05)

"Seeing Through You" is a remarkable portrait that discusses feminism in a patriarchal society where women have no say relating to their appearance. The expression on Kruger's face can be interpreted in a majority of ways however the intention behind this piece is to express to the viewer the lack of control that women as a whole face pertaining to mainstream media. The unjustly battle between control, and capability remains evident throughout this portrait. In conclusion the lack of mobility and power in response to the medias interpretation of women and how they should or shouldn't be seen or portrayed holds it's self to be true.

The topic of gender relates to the conversation surrounding the idea of men being in a patriarchal society where women are considered beneath men. 

Wardell Milan 

"One Could Still Dream to Devise An Optimistic Antidote Against The Defeatist And Cynical Claims of The Return To Order." (2008)

The immorality of this piece exhibits the chaotic events that took place in New Orleans. In correlation to the chaotic events of Hurricane Katrina the artists shows the uneasiness of the lost homes, and damaged city through out this piece. The artist captured this picture from his point of view in order to give viewers an emotion of sadness. New Orleans wasn't the same after Hurricane Katrina, and Milan wanted to prove this factor by capturing it in it's horrific state.

Faharru Pecou (2010)

"Rock Well" Champ

Probably one of my favorite pieces, Pecou's painting is how he views him self as the artist. In the painting Pecou is looking at himself in the mirror, determined to capture his identity and exact characteristics. What I admire about the painting is the fact that Pecou paints everything that truthfully describes himself. He see's his self as the champ, and displays that in his artistry. On the top left corner his inspiration Muhammad Ali lays flat while on the center right lays a championship belt, reflecting Pecou's thought process. This positive image of an African American male over rides the negative stereotypes that culture, and society falsely exhibits.