Constructing Identity

One can be the only constructor of his/her own identity. What someone identifies as is the most important aspect of that person’s being. Self-actuality is something that each person should have. It should not be influenced by anyone or anything else. Race, gender, and power is based upon identity. What one identifies him or herself as, is what defines that person. Yet people usually identify and judge others based off of societal norms. For example, it is socially normal for young boys to play with trucks and wear blue. Whereas, girls are said to wear pink and play with dolls. Following those norms eliminate any possibility for a child to be an individual. These societal norms based off of how society says it should be.

            One of the greatest examples of individuality is art. Art is a revenue that people use for expression. Art depicts the inner thoughts, identity and feelings of the artist. It is interesting to view art and try to unpack the feelings and identity of the artist.  To define art, one’s perspective has to be taken into account. While one person may not consider a specific piece to be art, another would think that It is a great work of art. For this reason, I feel art and identity goes hand and hand. Just like art, one’s identity is based off of their own personal feelings and perspective. No one else can tell you what you identify yourself as; just like no one can tell you how to express yourself through art.

            At the Montclair museum, there was a section that exhibited many paintings and creations that encompassed the idea of constructing identity. These artists used their own perspectives, culture, and ideas to create and exemplify their identity. Some of them contradicted social norms, while others used their creations to expose societal norms.

 Ben Jones

Juxtapositions #11, 1989

      This work of art depicts the struggle that each individual faces while choosing to maintain identity based on societal norms and acceptance, or deciding to maintain self-influenced identity. Ben Jones is an activist who uses his art to convey the plight of humanity. In Juxtapositions, Jones used his face as the center of the piece. Each side represents the struggle that humans face deciding which side to choose. One side appears to be strict, geometrical, and somewhat formal. While the other side seems to follow no particular rule and appears to come from a place of expression. To me, that side represents individuality. The other, more formal side represents societal views. This piece conveys the struggle that humans face when trying to construct their own individuality while trying not to be influenced by society. The panel on the far left says, “You need power? What kind?” At the bottom of the panel there a group terms suggesting where each individual receives power from. “Spiritual,” “Political,” “Economic,” “Sexual,” “Physical,” “Mental Health,” “Peace,” etc. Being able to construct your own identity with the influence of others is a powerful thing.

                                                            

Fahamu Pecou

Rock.Well: Radiant, Pop, Champ 2010

            Fahamu Pecou is a scholar and interdisciplinary artist. He uses fine art, hip-hop and popular culture to influence his work. In this painting, Pecou demonstrates himself making a self-portrait. While looking in the mirror at himself, he is painting the three people that influence him. His three heroes Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, And Muhammed Ali. This depicts how the artist constructs his own identity. He connects his very own life with the lives of his heroes. Although in the self-portrait he is not painting himself, when he looks in the mirror he sees the face of his heroes. This is how he views himself.

                                                       

Nick Cave.

 Soundsuit,2015.

           This piece corresponds with the construction of identity because there are so many parts of it that make up its identity. It is very colorful and contains many different pieces. To me, the many colors signify child-like influences. Up towards the figure’s head there are a variety of toys and globes. What I get from this is that the construction of identity is based upon their influences from childhood and the world around them. Many of us base our identity on things that we were taught as children.

                                   

                                                         

   

Helen R. Kaar

Eternity is in Love with the Productions of Time, 2016

            I thought this quilt was shockingly beautiful and interesting. Each part of the knitted quilt is different. No Two parts are the same. Yet, they all come join together to create a beautiful image. The quilt encompasses the body of a woman. Individuality is what makes up this beautiful creation. Had every part of the quilt been the same, the image would have been unclear. To me, this shows the beauty in the complex physical make- up of the woman. Being different is a major aspect in constructing identity.