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Kara Walker

Yesterdayness in America Today, 2020

Information about the artwork

  • Material2 parts; graphite and watercolor on paper
  • Dimensions221.9 x 365.8 cm
  • Year of acquisition2022
  • Inventory numberUAB 1308
  • On viewCurrently not exhibited
  • Copyright© Kara Walker

More about the artwork

With large steps and a pain-distorted face, a Black woman dressed only in shoes strides forward. Full of despair, ruffling her hair, she throws her head back. Behind her, an equally naked Black man kneels with his hands clasped behind his head, as if he were about to be arrested. From the background, a ghostly figure points a sugarcane at her; to the right, a rock musician bawls, merging Elvis Presley with Donald Trump. Half vision, half nightmare, Kara Walker’s monumental drawing “Yesterdayness in America Today” (2020) reflects on how the history of enslavement, as well as present-day discrimination and violence, define the living conditions of Black people in the United States. The present, Walker argues, can only be understood by reflecting on the history of power relations: “My work has always been a time machine catapulting me backward across decades and centuries to arrive at some understanding of my ‘place’ in the contemporary moment.”

Detailaufnahme einer 2-teiligen Zeichnung mit Graphit und Wasserfarbe auf Papier. Nackte Frau mit erschrecktem Gesicht blickt nach oben, links neben ihr erscheint ein kleiner Junge mit betenden Händen.
Detailaufnahme einer 2-teiligen Zeichnung mit Graphit und Wasserfarbe auf Papier. Nackte, muskulöse Person in Rückenansicht, die am Boden kniet und ihre Hände hinter dem Kopf verschränkt hat.
Detailaufnahme einer 2-teiligen Zeichnung mit Graphit und Wasserfarbe auf Papier. Person, die auf der E-Gitarre spielt und ihre Zunge herausstreckt.
Detailaufnahme einer 2-teiligen Zeichnung mit Graphit und Wasserfarbe auf Papier. Rückenansicht von drei laufenden Personen.

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