ipl-logo

Autobiography: Air By Howardena Pindell

1259 Words6 Pages

Many artists express their core values, whether it be political, social, or moral, through their creations, which display the individual decisions made in their artistic process. No matter the form of art, each artistic decision offers a multitude of opportunities to tell a story, evoke emotion, and captivate audience members. By examining two seemingly different works, Greta Gerwig’s 2023 movie Barbie and Howardena Pindell’s 1988 painting Autobiography: Air (CS560), themes of injustice and identity manifest in both. Through the utilization of juxtaposition, repetition, and color scheme, each artist employs a unique presentation of the meaning of acceptance into society. Through the contrasting, yet equally effective, artistic manipulation of color in both works, the artist can skillfully embed an …show more content…

Although differing in intensities, the use of the color pink illustrates an otherworldly feel to the settings in this film, as the color does not appear as such in nature or everyday society. The iconic relationship between Barbie’s character and the color pink instills a sense of nostalgia in viewers, allowing the set to appear playful and welcoming because of the influence Barbie has had on pop culture historically. Essentially, the use of the color pink everywhere in the film elicits interest in viewers to relive their past innocence and reflect on how that affects their identities in the present day. Contrastingly, Pindell’s painting, Autobiography: Air/CS560, utilizes more raw, earthy tones of color in an attempt to emphasize the brutality and cruelty of the injustices displayed. In particular, the use of browns, yellows, and creams suggests an exposed state of a human, in which they are vulnerable to the effects of society. The darker hues of color in the painting imply a darker, more aggressive message when compared to the lighter colors and nonviolent message in the

Show More
Related
499 Words | 2 Pages

The author uses a simile to describe the attraction stating that “the color draws them like heat-seeking missiles” (Orenstein 35). The simile compares the young girls’ attraction to pink to heat seeking missiles which is an exaggeration that helps show how strong the attraction is. This however, was not always the case as other adults revealed they “do not remember being so obsessed with pink” (Orenstein 35). The author corroborates this statement with evidence from Jo Paoletti who is a professor of American studies at the University of Maryland. He argues

Read More
707 Words | 3 Pages

Would people be willing to sacrifice their daily lives for the sake of change, or will they cower in fear for eternity? Christopher columbus discovered America in the year 1492. This discovery paved the way for the colonization of America over the years ;however, the descendants of those who managed to survive the harsh winters were unhappy with the conditions they were living under. During the 1700s, the American revolution started to emerge due to many of the problems that they faced under the rule of the King of England which eventually lead to a revolt known as the American Revolution.

Read More
957 Words | 4 Pages

The sun beams from the sky are lighting up a small area of the painting and the rest is dark and gloomy. The gloominess of the painting represents dark and depressing times while the brightness of the sky creeps through thick dark clouds. This represents heaven because heaven is so large and bright and amazing that even though life is hard and seems like the world is ending, there is always something greater out there. Personally, I love this painting. I really like how Dore paints that trees and valley dark because it really highlights the beams from the sun.

Read More
483 Words | 2 Pages

It bridges the gap between art and advocacy, pushing us to confront uncomfortable truths

Read More
422 Words | 2 Pages

I think this is the viewpoint of Daedalus after he landed on ground. He’s looking down at his dead son. This interests me because once I figured it out, it gave the rest of the painting a whole new meaning, and I understood why the colour was being drained where Icarus was. 4. How do the artist’s color and lighting choices impact the message the viewer takes away from the painting?

Read More
1430 Words | 6 Pages

Viewing the painting, brightens the light in the artwork. There is a sense of reality as the light seems to move through the clouds. The faces of the characters are shown by light and there is an effect of light moving by walking in front of the scene. Emotions are evoked when one looks at this scene. There is a state of protection and safety.

Read More
937 Words | 4 Pages

In the end, however, both utilize their descriptive language to convey the images and thoughts clearly into the reader’s

Read More
773 Words | 4 Pages

This main message aims to change the conception of racism in America through a series of candid statements scattered throughout the piece of art. The overlying metaphors orbiting around a single world portrays the overall main message

Read More
1760 Words | 8 Pages

The appealing factor of this paintings comes from its message and juxtaposition of colours and stroke

Read More
469 Words | 2 Pages

My paintings often depict scenes from African American life and biblical narratives, reflecting my personal experiences and beliefs. Through my art, I showcased the resilience, strength, and dignity of marginalized communities. My works, such as "The Thankful Poor," not only challenged prevailing stereotypes but also fostered empathy and understanding among viewers. By presenting African Americans in a dignified and authentic manner, I contributed to a more inclusive representation of diverse cultures in

Read More
2123 Words | 9 Pages

Nuanced narratives of race, identity, and representation may be explored via the lens of the junction of art and society debate. The objective of this study is to explore the diverse field of African American visual art and examine its function as a medium for expressing and navigating intricate socio-cultural matters. This research aims to shed light on how African American artists negotiate and subvert dominant narratives. It centers on the question, "How do African American artists use visual art as a medium for expressing issues of race, identity, and representation in society?" By means of an extensive examination of a variety of artworks and artists, this study aims to reveal the methods by which these producers interact with the complexities

Read More
1046 Words | 5 Pages

The sky is gray with the blocking of sun, it shows that the day was not a good day, offering no happiness or life in the painting. The painting on the right shows a man trying to rescue a fallen soldier, signifying the need to try and preserve what life is left after battle. The bottom painting shows the result of war, which gives only the result of death and despair. Each painting tells its own little story but all together they tell a story that only few can

Read More
949 Words | 4 Pages

“...there 's a bluebird in my heart that, wants to get out, but I pour whiskey on him and inhale, cigarette smoke, and the whores and the bartenders, and the grocery clerks, never know that, he 's. in there....” As indicated by the above excerpt from his poem Bluebird, poet Charles Bukowski built a name for himself through his ability to deprive himself of the basic human need of confiding, revealing and simply being emotionally transparent. For many, erecting a facade of ruggedness and apathy can protect what may be delicate inside—it’s a common defense mechanism, which especially rang true for Bukowski, who suffered from abuse at the hand of his father during his childhood. As a result, Bukowski fixated himself on concocting a larger than life caricature of himself as someone who was extremely tough and devoid of any “soft” emotions over his career.

Read More
606 Words | 3 Pages

Barbie dolls extend girls an invitation to a ‘‘plastic society’’ that doesn't accept the genuineness each of us possesses. They present a role model impossible to accomplish. The characters didn't have names, they could hold a symbolic representation of society’s judgment. The girls had the first dolls just like they wanted, but they desired to cover all of the imperfections on the dolls damaged in the fire with new clothes such as the ‘‘Prom Pink outfit’’ (Cisneros). Thereupon, no one would notice the

Read More
554 Words | 3 Pages

The colors show his depression and agony and reveal how truly broken down the subject

Read More

More about Autobiography: Air By Howardena Pindell

Open Document