Monologue “The subject matter for my work is usually very personal, as I tackle the topics of family and home, death and loss, and racial and sexual identity. For example, in the untitled pink piece, the figure of a woman composed of nails is pushing against an invisible force and surrounded on all sides by a mass of pink flowers. The contrast of the soft, pink flowers with the hard, sharp, rusted nails, is a visual image of ideas about femininity and strength, womanhood and weakness, and being ‘Black’ in a ‘White’ society. The figure struggles, as I do, against the pressure of these ideas. Other pieces like ‘Grew Myself’ and ‘Mid-sentence, Mid-stride’ deal with the fragility of life and hope set against the pain of bereavement and unfulfilled relationships. The impetus for the diptych was a photograph taken of my father and me walking along the boardwalk at Coney Island a few weeks before his death. Seeing that photograph for the first time, I was immediately struck by the
	amazing blue of the sky (hence the blue flowers).  The flowers filling his silhouette represent his vulnerability and gentleness, which were in strong contrast to his gruff exterior. The wood surrounding his silhouette refers to the boardwalk as well as the “pine box” he often jokingly	requested for his coffin. I was also deeply impressed by the fact that our animated conversation and casual stroll were abruptly cut short by his death. I can no longer remember what we were talking about or looking at that day. I look at this image and see at once the closeness and the separation in our relationship. Having been raised in a very close family, I find issues of family and home quite compelling. Some of	my imagery is based on family photos, memories of childhood events or dreams, and feelings of sadness and disappointment. But along with these elements which are present throughout my work is a continual sense of hope for life, renewal, and growth."

Kathleen Brooks le resume        Kathleen Brooks le biography

 

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