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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: "Untitled (Rome)" from Cy Twombly
Cy Twombly Untitled (Rome), 1983
Artwork: "Torso" from Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol Torso, 1977
Artwork: "Beliebte Stellen" from Nairy Baghramian
Nairy Baghramian Beliebte Stellen, 2015
Artwork: "Diamond Dust Shadow" from Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol Diamond Dust Shadow, 1979
Artwork: "Two Dollar Bill" from Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol Two Dollar Bill, 1962
Artwork: "Untitled" from Jacqueline Humphries
Jacqueline Humphries Untitled, 2008
Artwork: "Untitled" from Cy Twombly
Cy Twombly Untitled, 2005
Artwork: "Untitled" from Cy Twombly
Cy Twombly Untitled, 2003
Artwork: "Untitled (Self-Portrait)" from Keith Haring
Keith Haring Untitled (Self-Portrait), 1989