Silent Scars
Inspired by the very rare, if not unique, photography of a slave showing the extensive scarring of his back from whippings. His name is unsure, Gordon or Peter, and there are many versions and stories around this 1863 striking picture, true witness of the horrific treatments inflicted to the African slaves. The version I keep is that the photographer (undoubtedly white, as he had a camera) remains unknown. This picture is very well known and has haunted me for many years (you will find it over and over in some of my collages pieces) until the day I finally decided to dedicate a full and extremely deep piece for him only.
In order to make it even more horrific and realistic, I planted some bloody nails, following the trace of his back’s scars. It is a very dark piece but it had to told and shown.
In order to make it even more horrific and realistic, I planted some bloody nails, following the trace of his back’s scars. It is a very dark piece but it had to told and shown.