Addressing and Redressing History in Simone Leigh’s Sculptures
Abstrak
In her multifaceted work, Simone Leigh (b. 1967, Chicago) explores the history of the African diaspora, examining topics such as the elusive legacy of enslavement, the indelible effects of colonialism and the forced migration of Black people. In this article, I focus primarily on her ceramic and bronze work which I read as a reimagined genealogy of Black subjectivity. In regards to her approach, Leigh addresses history and exposes quotidian, therefore banalized, “scenes of subjection,” to echo Saidiya Hartman’s eponymous book. After delving into the controversy surrounding her main medium of expression, ceramics, I emphasize in this article the use of the archive both as a source of inspiration and a way to redress history. I also provide an analysis of her installation Last Garment (2022) as a therapeutic showcase or a “critical fabulation.”
Topik & Kata Kunci
Penulis (1)
Myrto Charvalia
Akses Cepat
- Tahun Terbit
- 2025
- Sumber Database
- DOAJ
- DOI
- 10.4000/159os
- Akses
- Open Access ✓