is my Keane print offensive/racist?
May 20, 2015 6:08 PM Subscribe
I recently received this print and my husband (who bought it for me off a wishlist) isn't sure we should hang it in the main room because we have a service provider who visits every couple weeks who is black.
The possibly pertinent parts are: We're white. Everything on our walls is pretty eclectic. The person visiting is a woman and pretty laid back. I chose the print because I'm a crazy cat lady who likes monochromatic art and wanted a Keane print. I don't want offend anyone. I think it's lovely. We can hang it in another room, but now I kind of want to be sure, if only to quell my husband's liberal guilt.
The possibly pertinent parts are: We're white. Everything on our walls is pretty eclectic. The person visiting is a woman and pretty laid back. I chose the print because I'm a crazy cat lady who likes monochromatic art and wanted a Keane print. I don't want offend anyone. I think it's lovely. We can hang it in another room, but now I kind of want to be sure, if only to quell my husband's liberal guilt.
I'm not black but I don't see it as offensive/racist.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 6:20 PM on May 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 6:20 PM on May 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: If you're worried about a visitor finding it offensive, you're never going to be able to truly enjoy it. Hang it somewhere where you won't need to worry about what a random passerby thinks about it, or save it for the time that you have a more appropriate space to hang it.
p.s. I think it's great, but it's definitely going to be a bit of a loaded image on first viewing, in all sorts of ways.
posted by a box and a stick and a string and a bear at 6:21 PM on May 20, 2015 [6 favorites]
p.s. I think it's great, but it's definitely going to be a bit of a loaded image on first viewing, in all sorts of ways.
posted by a box and a stick and a string and a bear at 6:21 PM on May 20, 2015 [6 favorites]
Can your husband articulate why exactly he thinks this is problematic?
I've seen a lot of paintings/pictures in this style, and they have ALL been of precious little white girls. I think the fact that this one is depicting a minority is pretty cool. Secondly, artists who want to depict blacks negatively tend to play up/caricature-ize their lips and noses, and this piece is doing exactly the opposite. I say hang it up.
posted by kitty teeth at 6:25 PM on May 20, 2015 [12 favorites]
I've seen a lot of paintings/pictures in this style, and they have ALL been of precious little white girls. I think the fact that this one is depicting a minority is pretty cool. Secondly, artists who want to depict blacks negatively tend to play up/caricature-ize their lips and noses, and this piece is doing exactly the opposite. I say hang it up.
posted by kitty teeth at 6:25 PM on May 20, 2015 [12 favorites]
Not the husband, but here's my articulation of the part that makes me a bit conflicted about this painting:
Keane is very strongly associated with the 1960's. The 1960's in the US was the scene of massive racial tensions. To see this work hung in a contemporary white home, I'd find it impossible to not see it as an interesting choice, to say the least. As a white person, I'd be unsure how a black guest may feel about these cultural juxtapositions. Obviously any guest is going to react uniquely, but it would be enough to give me pause.
posted by a box and a stick and a string and a bear at 6:37 PM on May 20, 2015 [4 favorites]
Keane is very strongly associated with the 1960's. The 1960's in the US was the scene of massive racial tensions. To see this work hung in a contemporary white home, I'd find it impossible to not see it as an interesting choice, to say the least. As a white person, I'd be unsure how a black guest may feel about these cultural juxtapositions. Obviously any guest is going to react uniquely, but it would be enough to give me pause.
posted by a box and a stick and a string and a bear at 6:37 PM on May 20, 2015 [4 favorites]
I'm black and something I can't articulate makes me feel uncomfortable in regards to that art. Not offended, but I'd certainly feel kind of awkward.
posted by Aranquis at 6:40 PM on May 20, 2015 [24 favorites]
posted by Aranquis at 6:40 PM on May 20, 2015 [24 favorites]
If you have to ask whether someone* might be offended at something, you already know the answer.
Spoiler: Yes.
* -- "Someone" as in "any random person", not as in "this particular person".
posted by Etrigan at 6:40 PM on May 20, 2015 [5 favorites]
Spoiler: Yes.
* -- "Someone" as in "any random person", not as in "this particular person".
posted by Etrigan at 6:40 PM on May 20, 2015 [5 favorites]
I think of living room art as needing to be PG or at most PG-13, since any random visitor is going to see it. I don't just mean nakedness, but pieces that might elicit strong or problematic reactions. So for me, that is not a piece I would put in the living room or entry, but rather further into the house, where I have more control over who is going to see it.
To hang that piece I'd want to know more about the artist and how she has portrayed racial elements in previous works, and if it's been seen controversially or not, so that I could contextualize the piece for people who had a reaction to it. That is a piece that people will definitely comment on, so I'd want to be prepared with more than just that I kind of like it. As was commented on above, meanings change with time and I'd want to know how her works have shifted (and shifted meaning) since the 1960s.
We have some challenging art hanging in our house (some NC-17, and some complex in other ways, including with race) and it definitely ends up being a bit of a filter for visitors. I'm a strong proponent of hanging art that you like and especially art that elicits reactions, but part of that is dealing with people who really disagree.
posted by Dip Flash at 6:42 PM on May 20, 2015 [4 favorites]
To hang that piece I'd want to know more about the artist and how she has portrayed racial elements in previous works, and if it's been seen controversially or not, so that I could contextualize the piece for people who had a reaction to it. That is a piece that people will definitely comment on, so I'd want to be prepared with more than just that I kind of like it. As was commented on above, meanings change with time and I'd want to know how her works have shifted (and shifted meaning) since the 1960s.
We have some challenging art hanging in our house (some NC-17, and some complex in other ways, including with race) and it definitely ends up being a bit of a filter for visitors. I'm a strong proponent of hanging art that you like and especially art that elicits reactions, but part of that is dealing with people who really disagree.
posted by Dip Flash at 6:42 PM on May 20, 2015 [4 favorites]
Best answer: I don't think it's racist exactly but I don't think it's appropriate for a living room. It feels too.. intimate.. both in its subject matter and in its treatment. A living room should be a space where you feel confident welcoming your public, whoever that is, and I think if you hung this in your living room you would second guess it constantly. Put it in your bedroom or master bath.
posted by fingersandtoes at 6:52 PM on May 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by fingersandtoes at 6:52 PM on May 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I'm white, but I can't fathom how on earth that would be racist in and of itself. A weird thing to hang on your wall, especially if you are white? Perhaps, probably. But racist and offensive? No. The print will be in context of your other artwork and who you are as people, so she may not be bothered by it. But if you enjoy it and are worried, I'd hang it upstairs or in a part of the house where guests aren't walking through.
posted by AppleTurnover at 6:52 PM on May 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by AppleTurnover at 6:52 PM on May 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
Maybe the implication that a person's blackness and an animal's blackness are visually equivalent is disquieting?
posted by zadcat at 6:54 PM on May 20, 2015 [7 favorites]
posted by zadcat at 6:54 PM on May 20, 2015 [7 favorites]
I felt kind of the same way as Aranquis when I first looked at it, although I am not black. I think it just reminds me of a bunch of racially charged/racist black caricatures of the past. Like golliwogs, Little Black Sambo, that sort of stuff.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 7:10 PM on May 20, 2015 [24 favorites]
posted by treehorn+bunny at 7:10 PM on May 20, 2015 [24 favorites]
Maybe the implication that a person's blackness and an animal's blackness are visually equivalent is disquieting?
I don't know Keane at all; this was my initial take from it (I'm white). I think also the fact that it's black and white encourages this intepretation - colours would have made a difference. But looking at other work by the artist, this subject was treated similarly to others (and she's got natural hair, which is maybe in the image's favour). But confronted with the image, not knowing anything about the artist, lacking Google at my fingertips, and without some kind of explanation, I would think your family might be slightly racist, yeah.
on preview: it does call golliwogs etc. to mind, yes.
posted by cotton dress sock at 7:13 PM on May 20, 2015 [2 favorites]
I don't know Keane at all; this was my initial take from it (I'm white). I think also the fact that it's black and white encourages this intepretation - colours would have made a difference. But looking at other work by the artist, this subject was treated similarly to others (and she's got natural hair, which is maybe in the image's favour). But confronted with the image, not knowing anything about the artist, lacking Google at my fingertips, and without some kind of explanation, I would think your family might be slightly racist, yeah.
on preview: it does call golliwogs etc. to mind, yes.
posted by cotton dress sock at 7:13 PM on May 20, 2015 [2 favorites]
I'm white and I wouldn't display this image in front of random visitors. I had the same thought as zadkat, but I don't think that's quite it, or all of it, for me. My issue is more like that this artist makes human figures look sort of weird and not human. If I display an image in which this is done to someone not of the same race as me, I feel it's more likely to some across as a racial statement.
posted by BibiRose at 7:14 PM on May 20, 2015 [7 favorites]
posted by BibiRose at 7:14 PM on May 20, 2015 [7 favorites]
Response by poster: Thank you for your thoughtful answers. I've decided to hang it in the bedroom nearest my side so I can enjoy it for the qualities I chose it for.
It is visible from the main room, but you'd have to really look across our bed. This satisfies some sort of "there's nothing wrong with it, and it's not being hidden" twinge I had when it was first suggested, which is why I asked.
posted by vanishing girl at 7:22 PM on May 20, 2015 [3 favorites]
It is visible from the main room, but you'd have to really look across our bed. This satisfies some sort of "there's nothing wrong with it, and it's not being hidden" twinge I had when it was first suggested, which is why I asked.
posted by vanishing girl at 7:22 PM on May 20, 2015 [3 favorites]
I don't quite understand why anyone is judging the artistic merit of the print -- it's art. To each their own.
But racist? I think this is a typical Keane look. Nothing about this is exploitive. Except to cute cats, but they're born to be exploited. And black cats appear in other Keane prints.
posted by Unsomnambulist at 7:22 PM on May 20, 2015 [10 favorites]
But racist? I think this is a typical Keane look. Nothing about this is exploitive. Except to cute cats, but they're born to be exploited. And black cats appear in other Keane prints.
posted by Unsomnambulist at 7:22 PM on May 20, 2015 [10 favorites]
Ok so I would think it was slightly weird in a living room, which is like the lobby of your house. Maybe less weird if one of many pieces on a gallery wall but if it were alone I'd definitely have a (private) reaction questioning your judgement. I'm not black, but I'm Asian and absolutely feel this way when I see generic Asian lady-type art in white people's houses.
Here's why: I think artworks that Are depictions of people (whether they actual portraits or not) are inherently a little weird because they are so specific and intimate. I understand hanging portraits of people you know or at least have some sort of connection to. But to put some random face up just because it suits your decor or whatever is a bit strange. It's quite literally objectifying, and way more so when you're objectifying depictions of what is to you an Other.
try this thought exercise: would it seem appropriate to hang up a photograph of a rando black girl + cat in your house, even if you liked it just as much as an image?
That's not supposed to be a gotcha - I've found that people are either totally on one side or the other on the likenesses-in-displayed-artwork question, so maybe it would seem fine to you. And of course Keane works aren't depicting actual people...but for folks like me who would find the stock photo problematic, a painting of a generic person has all the same problems. You can decorate your house however you like, but since you don't know what side visitors are on, it's probably better to sidestep the issue in public areas.
posted by peachfuzz at 9:53 PM on May 20, 2015 [2 favorites]
Here's why: I think artworks that Are depictions of people (whether they actual portraits or not) are inherently a little weird because they are so specific and intimate. I understand hanging portraits of people you know or at least have some sort of connection to. But to put some random face up just because it suits your decor or whatever is a bit strange. It's quite literally objectifying, and way more so when you're objectifying depictions of what is to you an Other.
try this thought exercise: would it seem appropriate to hang up a photograph of a rando black girl + cat in your house, even if you liked it just as much as an image?
That's not supposed to be a gotcha - I've found that people are either totally on one side or the other on the likenesses-in-displayed-artwork question, so maybe it would seem fine to you. And of course Keane works aren't depicting actual people...but for folks like me who would find the stock photo problematic, a painting of a generic person has all the same problems. You can decorate your house however you like, but since you don't know what side visitors are on, it's probably better to sidestep the issue in public areas.
posted by peachfuzz at 9:53 PM on May 20, 2015 [2 favorites]
I forgot to answer your actual top-level question...no, I don't think this is racist or offensive per se, and I wouldn't be offended by it or think you are racist. But I would definitely privately roll my eyes for the reasons above.
posted by peachfuzz at 9:59 PM on May 20, 2015
posted by peachfuzz at 9:59 PM on May 20, 2015
There's no difference between the print you have and this print, or this one, or this one, except the race of the child. That's it. There's nothing in your print that is vulgar or offensive. They are all beautiful works of art and if you like your print, hang it up.
posted by vivzan at 11:21 PM on May 20, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by vivzan at 11:21 PM on May 20, 2015 [4 favorites]
As a black person, the print totally reads a racist dogwhistle because it's a black child as a thing. Sure, that was the artist's forte, doll like painting and prints, but it has a different reading to this black male. It's little better than the blatantly racist images that use to appear..
I don't know if Keane was racist (guessing not) and it doesn't sound like you are overtly racist, but it's clear that you have some blindspots (just as we all do). There's a history of using black people in images in a demeaning manner and exaggerated appearance in this print reads as a close cousin.
Finally, this is just my particular opinion. Another black person might have a completely opposite one. Clearly other white people have opinions also, but they seem particularly ignorant on issues like this.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:11 AM on May 21, 2015 [24 favorites]
I don't know if Keane was racist (guessing not) and it doesn't sound like you are overtly racist, but it's clear that you have some blindspots (just as we all do). There's a history of using black people in images in a demeaning manner and exaggerated appearance in this print reads as a close cousin.
Finally, this is just my particular opinion. Another black person might have a completely opposite one. Clearly other white people have opinions also, but they seem particularly ignorant on issues like this.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:11 AM on May 21, 2015 [24 favorites]
To be honest, I (white, not familiar with Keane) find it quite creepy, and it's close enough to the caricatured stereotype of black people that I might find it in somewhat bad taste, even though it's hard to identify any one thing that makes it "a racist image" per se. I wouldn't comment to that effect in person, though...
posted by Drexen at 5:19 AM on May 21, 2015
posted by Drexen at 5:19 AM on May 21, 2015
I context, no, it isn't racist - the artist has treated the subject exactly the same as he's treated other similar subjects of different races, however, out of context - there is a certain golliwog vibe going on.
posted by missmagenta at 6:00 AM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by missmagenta at 6:00 AM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'll give another black person's perspective, I don't think it's racist. What I do think is that it's odd ...not because it's bad...but because white people hardly ever have pictures or black art in their homes, so it stands out.
There is nothing wrong with having multicultural work in your home, rather I think it's a good thing. The issue I think your husband may be dealing with is uncomfortable feeling that people get when confronting race, particularly members of the majority, white people, as to what they can do or say without it being offensive. For example, they're are times when I've walked into a room and someone was using a legitimate term like black or african American to describe someone but they whispered it as soon as I walked by. They probably didn't want me to think they were saying anything bad but the whispering mad me feel like it was bad. I think this is similar in an effort to avoid being seen as offensive your husband is "whispering", but the fact is the picture isn't offensive just different and as you noted eccentric. I'd hang it up and if asked about it explain why you hung it up. If you feel uncomfortable maybe a second Keane print of a white child would help make for an easier explanation.
posted by CosmicSeeker42 at 6:13 AM on May 21, 2015 [12 favorites]
There is nothing wrong with having multicultural work in your home, rather I think it's a good thing. The issue I think your husband may be dealing with is uncomfortable feeling that people get when confronting race, particularly members of the majority, white people, as to what they can do or say without it being offensive. For example, they're are times when I've walked into a room and someone was using a legitimate term like black or african American to describe someone but they whispered it as soon as I walked by. They probably didn't want me to think they were saying anything bad but the whispering mad me feel like it was bad. I think this is similar in an effort to avoid being seen as offensive your husband is "whispering", but the fact is the picture isn't offensive just different and as you noted eccentric. I'd hang it up and if asked about it explain why you hung it up. If you feel uncomfortable maybe a second Keane print of a white child would help make for an easier explanation.
posted by CosmicSeeker42 at 6:13 AM on May 21, 2015 [12 favorites]
I think it's cute, not racist. It has elements of caricature, because that is the artists style (big eyes), but these elements don't accentuate racial stereotypes (i.e. lips, nose, etc). I think your husband is being oversensitive. It's just a picture of a cute little black girl and a cat. Why do people have to be concerned about hanging that on their wall?
posted by alms at 7:11 AM on May 21, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by alms at 7:11 AM on May 21, 2015 [3 favorites]
If this was a picture of an adorable little Asian girl and an adorable little cat with huge eyes, would that be considered racist?
Or just manga style that seems to be everywhere?
IMO, this is *way* overthinking it - on both sides of the equation - and THAT is the racist behavior!
(And if anything is disquieting about the image, it's those humongous eyes - but I guarantee you, they'd be equally so no matter the race - or gender - of the child.)
posted by stormyteal at 7:32 AM on May 21, 2015 [2 favorites]
Or just manga style that seems to be everywhere?
IMO, this is *way* overthinking it - on both sides of the equation - and THAT is the racist behavior!
(And if anything is disquieting about the image, it's those humongous eyes - but I guarantee you, they'd be equally so no matter the race - or gender - of the child.)
posted by stormyteal at 7:32 AM on May 21, 2015 [2 favorites]
I context, no, it isn't racist - the artist has treated the subject exactly the same as he's treated other similar subjects of different races, however, out of context - there is a certain golliwog vibe going on.
FYI, the artist is Margaret Keane, who is female.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:38 AM on May 21, 2015 [3 favorites]
FYI, the artist is Margaret Keane, who is female.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:38 AM on May 21, 2015 [3 favorites]
One thing that struck me is that some similar prints (kid + cat) on the site have titles like "I Call Her Miki" (referring to the cat, not the girl), "Long Lost Friends," "The Rescue," "No Longer Lost," etc., but this one is just called "Black Girl."
posted by trillian at 7:54 AM on May 21, 2015 [12 favorites]
posted by trillian at 7:54 AM on May 21, 2015 [12 favorites]
If you have to ask yourself whether something might offend others as racist, whatever your original intentions, the answer is very probably "yes." I'm familiar with Keane's work and therefore find it kind of endearing (as the owner of two black cats), but I can definitely sympathize with the reactions of Aranquis and Brandon Blatcher. I have a close female relative by marriage who collects Americana and has some figurines displayed around the house that might be politely termed "vintage Black memorabilia." They really, REALLY bother me, but it's just not my place to raise the issue.
That said, another solution that might mitigate the problem would be, at some point, to purchase another Keane of a white child holding a kitten or puppy that you find appealing and that is very similar in composition. It would at least provide a context. I still wouldn't hang them in a "public room," however--hang them where only people who know you well are likely to go.
posted by tully_monster at 8:41 AM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
That said, another solution that might mitigate the problem would be, at some point, to purchase another Keane of a white child holding a kitten or puppy that you find appealing and that is very similar in composition. It would at least provide a context. I still wouldn't hang them in a "public room," however--hang them where only people who know you well are likely to go.
posted by tully_monster at 8:41 AM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
In the context of a white person's home I as a white visitor without knowledge of the artist's work and context would find it a little off-putting.
It may not have been intended as a callback to pickaninny imagery (note that the link includes discussion and pictures of explicitly racist language and imagery) when seen with the rest of the artist's catalog but as the sole print in that style with that subject that is what it conveys.
As an aside, please note that just because your service provider seems laid back about things it doesn't mean they may not have strong reactions which they conceal in front of you as their employer.
Personally, I wouldn't hang it in my home as a white person because of the history of that style of imagery.
posted by winna at 9:41 AM on May 21, 2015 [3 favorites]
It may not have been intended as a callback to pickaninny imagery (note that the link includes discussion and pictures of explicitly racist language and imagery) when seen with the rest of the artist's catalog but as the sole print in that style with that subject that is what it conveys.
As an aside, please note that just because your service provider seems laid back about things it doesn't mean they may not have strong reactions which they conceal in front of you as their employer.
Personally, I wouldn't hang it in my home as a white person because of the history of that style of imagery.
posted by winna at 9:41 AM on May 21, 2015 [3 favorites]
If you understand the context, then it's clearly just a variation on a theme, and not a comment on the race of the child at all. If you don't know the context, then it's just a black girl drawn in a distorted fashion, and could easily be seen as an insult towards her. I would have thought these big-eyed little kid pictures were ubiquitous enough that everyone would get the context (I don't know anything about art, but I immediately recognized the style), but from the responses you're getting you can see that a lot of people just don't get it. I wouldn't count on your service provider or any other guest getting it either.
If you feel uncomfortable maybe a second Keane print of a white child would help make for an easier explanation.
I'm happy someone said this, because I was thinking the exact same thing. Folks might still think you're a weirdo, but at least you'll be an equal opportunity weirdo.
posted by sam_harms at 12:10 PM on May 21, 2015 [2 favorites]
If you feel uncomfortable maybe a second Keane print of a white child would help make for an easier explanation.
I'm happy someone said this, because I was thinking the exact same thing. Folks might still think you're a weirdo, but at least you'll be an equal opportunity weirdo.
posted by sam_harms at 12:10 PM on May 21, 2015 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Perhaps the framing of the question here of "is this racist" as an objectively answerable question is not quite so helpful - in my experiences as a PoC in trying to facilitate discussions on racial relations, people will approach the question from different angles of truth. Frequently, white people will address the question of "is this racist" from a purely academic and logical approach, whereas people of color might address it from more emotional truths, discussing their greater sensitivity to dogwhistles and experiences of racism by association - which might inform some of the breakdown of answers you're seeing in this very AskMe. So in this circumstance, I sense the question that you're actually trying to address here is "will this painting make black visitors/friends uncomfortable?" And from that angle, you've already discussed that you have a black service provider who visits your house regularly who you feel might be sensitive to the painting - so I feel that in this case, the best practice would be to take down or relocate the painting.
posted by Conspire at 12:20 PM on May 21, 2015 [12 favorites]
posted by Conspire at 12:20 PM on May 21, 2015 [12 favorites]
It's your house. It's your art. Hang it wherever you like.
There's a lot of "challenging" art out in the world, and the reasons that people might like such a piece are rarely as simple as "I like racist art". If someone visits your home and seems like they may have an issue with this (or any piece), perhaps you should engage them on the topic? It sounds as if you and your husband know a thing or two about art. It's not like you have to get all defensive and convince anyone you're not a racist. But there are some interesting and valid reasons why someone might favor this piece (speaking as someone who doesn't like Keane, I'll easily concede that this is definitely one of their more interesting works). If this piece tends to make people question what constitutes racism *shrug* I'd think of this as a good thing.
I would expect that only the most superficial of your acquaintances would jump to label you racist over this piece. If I knew you reasonably well, and knew you weren't a bigot, I'd be full of questions about what attracted you to the item.
Lastly: you can *always* find someone who will find offense in a given piece of art. You can't run your life based on other people's random opinions.
Heh ... If you *really* want some fun, try hanging a few works by H. R. Giger. That one landscape that Jello Biafra used in a Dead Kennedies album, for instance :).
posted by doctor tough love at 3:04 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
There's a lot of "challenging" art out in the world, and the reasons that people might like such a piece are rarely as simple as "I like racist art". If someone visits your home and seems like they may have an issue with this (or any piece), perhaps you should engage them on the topic? It sounds as if you and your husband know a thing or two about art. It's not like you have to get all defensive and convince anyone you're not a racist. But there are some interesting and valid reasons why someone might favor this piece (speaking as someone who doesn't like Keane, I'll easily concede that this is definitely one of their more interesting works). If this piece tends to make people question what constitutes racism *shrug* I'd think of this as a good thing.
I would expect that only the most superficial of your acquaintances would jump to label you racist over this piece. If I knew you reasonably well, and knew you weren't a bigot, I'd be full of questions about what attracted you to the item.
Lastly: you can *always* find someone who will find offense in a given piece of art. You can't run your life based on other people's random opinions.
Heh ... If you *really* want some fun, try hanging a few works by H. R. Giger. That one landscape that Jello Biafra used in a Dead Kennedies album, for instance :).
posted by doctor tough love at 3:04 PM on May 21, 2015 [1 favorite]
I think that Margaret Keane's paintings of black children are the sort of thing that was incredibly progressive at the time, and which times have caught up with and moved past. I don't think that you -- or anyone -- is a racist for liking the painting, or that the painting itself is racist, but I do think it comes along with a cultural and political context that is much easier to ignore and dismiss if you're white. Like it or not, hanging this painting in a public space is never going to be a neutral act.
posted by KathrynT at 3:50 PM on May 21, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by KathrynT at 3:50 PM on May 21, 2015 [3 favorites]
I didn't have an immediate "thiiiis is racist" reaction, but the first thing to pop into my mind was "...why does this person have this?" And of course you've already stated that you really liked the piece, to which my next thought was "yes but why, though?"
I generally have that reaction to white people who acquire work by Black artists or ones in which Black people are explicitly the subject. Historically, this has happened with someone at work who hosts a bunch of West African masks in his office, an acquaintance who purchased a Kehinde Wiley print, etc. Not quite sure why it makes me feel kinda awkward, however.
Also, what Aranquis and Brandon Blatcher said.
posted by Ashen at 4:05 PM on May 21, 2015
I generally have that reaction to white people who acquire work by Black artists or ones in which Black people are explicitly the subject. Historically, this has happened with someone at work who hosts a bunch of West African masks in his office, an acquaintance who purchased a Kehinde Wiley print, etc. Not quite sure why it makes me feel kinda awkward, however.
Also, what Aranquis and Brandon Blatcher said.
posted by Ashen at 4:05 PM on May 21, 2015
I think the push-back you're getting here is because, to many people, Keene's style looks creepy and sort of like a caricature, more than fine art. Getting a similar print of a little white kid and hanging them in pairs would take some of the creepiness factor off.
But I own an original of this poster--it was a gift from an old boss--an actor/rapper /producer who knew of my interest in WWI. Does it bother some people? Sure, but I like it, and people who know me well enough to be in my house and see it, know how I treat people. Since my house isn't going to be on Apartment Therapy, I'm not very worried about being judged by internet strangers.
posted by Ideefixe at 7:46 AM on May 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
But I own an original of this poster--it was a gift from an old boss--an actor/rapper /producer who knew of my interest in WWI. Does it bother some people? Sure, but I like it, and people who know me well enough to be in my house and see it, know how I treat people. Since my house isn't going to be on Apartment Therapy, I'm not very worried about being judged by internet strangers.
posted by Ideefixe at 7:46 AM on May 22, 2015 [1 favorite]
I generally have that reaction to white people who acquire work by Black artists or ones in which Black people are explicitly the subject. Historically, this has happened with someone at work who hosts a bunch of West African masks in his office, an acquaintance who purchased a Kehinde Wiley print, etc.
Dr. TM has some brightly colored, stylized African masks in his office at home that he purchased from an artisan whose workshop he visited while teaching graduate-level computer science at Cape Town. He found the colors and carved features beautiful and a reminder of a memorable trip. I put them in the same category as my collection of Acoma pottery and Navajo weavings: they are works of art that remind us of places we love, and we support native artists by purchasing them. Your colleague may even have received some of them as gifts.
posted by tully_monster at 6:12 PM on May 22, 2015
Dr. TM has some brightly colored, stylized African masks in his office at home that he purchased from an artisan whose workshop he visited while teaching graduate-level computer science at Cape Town. He found the colors and carved features beautiful and a reminder of a memorable trip. I put them in the same category as my collection of Acoma pottery and Navajo weavings: they are works of art that remind us of places we love, and we support native artists by purchasing them. Your colleague may even have received some of them as gifts.
posted by tully_monster at 6:12 PM on May 22, 2015
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posted by treehorn+bunny at 6:20 PM on May 20, 2015 [12 favorites]