Skip to main content
0
Info
Arthur Jafa

Monster, 1988/2019

Information about the artwork

  • MaterialGelatin silver print mounted to aluminum
  • Dimensions169.7 x 120.7 cm
  • Year of acquisition2019
  • Inventory numberUAB 1233
  • On viewCurrently not exhibited
  • Copyright© Arthur Jafa. Photo: Haydar Koyupinar, Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen, Munich

More about the artwork

Like many of Jafa’s works, his memorable self-portrait “Monster” also represents an examination of racism in the USA. Through the title, he marks the Black subject as primitive, fear-inducing, monstrous – a deep-seated stereotype that still influences people’s perceptions and actions to this day. One way of getting away from these stereotypes is empowering oneself by creating one’s own image. Jafa takes the way he wants to be seen into his own hands, literally. This is also reflected in his self-assured gaze straight into the camera.

Further artworks

Artwork: "Shadow" from Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol Shadow, 1978
Artwork: "Recollections in America, III: White in White" from David LaChapelle
David LaChapelle Recollections in America, III: White in White, 2006
Artwork: "Untitled (New York City)" from Cy Twombly
Cy Twombly Untitled (New York City), 1968
Artwork: "Buchholz & Buchholz Installation" from Wolfgang Tillmans
Wolfgang Tillmans Buchholz & Buchholz Installation, 1993
Artwork: "Untitled (Rome)" from Cy Twombly
Cy Twombly Untitled (Rome), 1983
Artwork: "Red Dog" from Keith Haring
Keith Haring Red Dog, 1986/89
Artwork: "Untitled (Lexington)" from Cy Twombly
Cy Twombly Untitled (Lexington), 2001
Artwork: "Shadow" from Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol Shadow, 1978
Artwork: "C-A-N-V-A-S Painting 8" from Michael Krebber
Michael Krebber C-A-N-V-A-S Painting 8, 2011