Kara Walker was not instantly comfortable discussing race in her artwork for fear that it might be perceived as obvious and trite. But during her studies as a master’s student at Rhode Island School of Design she dared to confront issues of race. Walker’s most celebrated artworks are black cut-outs placed on white walls that confront the horrific nature of the Antebellum South with a satirical flair. Although her work has been seen as controversial to a few powerful black art leaders, Walker’s work does in fact deal with contentious issue like race, gender, sexuality, violence, and identity that allow viewers to understand the horrific nature of the time in which she places her subjects. Kara Walker was the second youngest artist to receive the illustrious MacArthur Genius Grant. And she has had an influential teaching career at Columbia University.

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Pictured: Kara Walker, African’t, 1996, cut paper and adhesive

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