Subtlety Analysis

Further, Kara’s exhibition work Subtlety is a mesmerizing and humbling work that makes momentous statements that are just as sizable as the work’s physicality. Rather than a singular work, Subtlety recreates the space as a holistic work that incorporates the context fully by having the main work in the center as other considerably smaller figures surround it sporadically to fill the space. This relationship creates a visual narrative between all three elements, the factory and the primary and secondary figures. The primary focal point is sculpture of white granulated sugar that has been compacted in the form that stands 35-feet tall .The form is of a naked Black woman crouching in a stance that resembles that of the Sphinx of Giza with emphasis on the hands on the ground in front of the figure and the elbows that act as support while the rest of the body rests on the lower legs.

The figure's head is covered with a tied headscarf that leans to the figure’s left. The figure’s feet are tucked in such a way that the back is arching at the same height as the head. The figure’s feet are tucked in such a way the back is arching at the same height as the head. As for the rest of the workspace, there are five figures of child-like anatomy that are made of brown sugar. These figures are less than five feet tall and are sporadically placed in front of the sphinx-like figure. All of them are holding a basket with defined texture to mimic weaving. These baskets are placed on the children’s front and back as they exhibit a leaning body weight that accentuates the heaviness of the objects they hold. All of the figures in the warehouse have a similar expression of a forward blank