Sons of Her Thunder
Description
“Sons of Her Thunder: Not Another Boy Harmed” (2020) Leather pyrography portrait and image printing on twill cotton, thread and raffia painting with Adinkra Energy symbols and raw edges. Iron cross hanging rod display or single bar for wall hanging
Specs
Dimensions
24in x 34in
Weight
6lbs
Material
Leather, Twill, Thread Raffia and Yarn
- The image is from a 1940 era photograph of a sharecropping woman captured as she worked by a photographer from the Farm Security Administration. He did not ask or record her name as part of his work and she is forever an anonymous “Negro Sharecropper”. I recast her here in a leather drawn portrait of systemic and generational violation. Of course she has identity amongst her community, family and her GOD. I’ve recast her as the biblical Mother in the story of James and John, whom Jesus named the “Sons of Thunder” for their wanting to cast thunder on the unconverted. Their Mother is known for asking Jesus to seat her sons on his right and left in Heaven.
- Another image from a 1940’s era photograph of a sharecropping family’s son captured as he stood amongst other children at the porch. He did not ask or record the children’s names other than “Negro Sharecropper’s Children”. I recast him here in a mirrored image. I placed “the boys” back-to-back in a defensive combat position. The threat to an African-American boy’s life comes at all angles from the moment he learns to walk until his death. Cast here “the sons” are against the backdrop of the African Adinkra symbol for “Energy”. In the biblical story they want Jesus to launch thunder on the unconverted. On this piece I have surrounded them with multi-colored, thread painting swirls that are entwined with raffia grass like that used in African weavings for mats and baskets to strengthen the bond.
- The backing of this piece is a quilted, spiraling row that represents both the 300 years of chattel enslavement of African-Americans in the United States of America, but also the unraveling ensuing years of oppression. The randomized selection and murdering of men and boys is a virtual continuation of that era. The language used is these video captured events, much like the postcards produced and mailed in the US Postal system during post emancipation, reconstruction and Civil Rights Era is identical to the brutality.
Sons of Her Thunder Fabric Art 24″x34″
Leather pyrography portrait and image printing on twill cotton, thread and raffia painting with Adinkra Energy symbols and raw edges. Shipping within the United States is included in the price. Purchases outside of the US will have to be determined at the time of purchase. Certificate of Authenticity included with shipment.
$4,000.00
Jas Mardis 