Art Quote by Kerry James Marshall
![“[My picture A Portrait of the Artist as a Shadow of His Former Self ] was a way of demonstrating that there was a broad range of possibilities and fairly unlimited utility for a black figure that didn't have to comprise its blackness in order to preserve a place in the field of representation.” quote by Kerry James Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b2d/kerry-james-marshall-5157_art_my-picture-a-portrait-of-the-artist-as-a_2641070.jpg)
“[My picture A Portrait of the Artist as a Shadow of His Former Self ] was a way of demonstrating that there was a broad range of possibilities and fairly unlimited utility for a black figure that didn't have to comprise its blackness in order to preserve a place in the field of representation.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Discussion on artistic representation, 2020
The artist demonstrates that black figures can be used creatively without being defined solely by race.
In simple terms: Black figures can be versatile symbols.
Key Takeaway
Expand artistic possibilities beyond stereotypes.
Themes
art
representation
diversity
identity
creativity
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- gallery exhibitions
- art education
- media critique
- curatorial practice
Key Concepts
postcolonial theory
visual culture
symbolism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can artists balance cultural identity with universal themes?
- What limits exist in redefining visual symbols?
A Different Perspective
Some may argue the statement overstates the freedom of representation.
![“I want people to understand that this is a very calibrated image [Portrait of the Artist as a Shadow of His Former Self ], where point by point, very little is left to chance.” quote by Kerry James Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/970/kerry-james-marshall-5157_art_i-want-people-to-understand-that-this-is_2009456.jpg)
![“You can describe [Portrait of the Artist as a Shadow of His Former Self] as a manifesto of sorts. I saw it as a pivotal turn, a work that really led me down the avenues that brought me to where I am. That picture was the vehicle that helped me clarify a lot of things and I began to understand that…” quote by Kerry James Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d6b/kerry-james-marshall-5157_art_you-can-describe-portrait-of-the-artist_1969257.jpg)
![“If you look at the image [ Portrait of the Artist as a Shadow of His Former Self ], it treads on a kind of popular stereotypical image of the black figure, in both its flatness and slightly comic edge. To take that image as a starting point and to render it in a proto-classical medium, like egg…” quote by Kerry James Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/584/kerry-james-marshall-5157_art_if-you-look-at-the-image-portrait-of-the_829024.jpg)
![“In [Ralph] Ellison's case, it's more psychological than it is phenomenal, and it's conditioned by anger, animosity, and lack of desire to engage with the black body. There was always simultaneity that had nothing to do with visuality. You can be there and not be there at the same time and be fully…” quote by Kerry James Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a13/kerry-james-marshall-5157_animosity_in-ralph-ellison-s-case-it-s-more-psycho_338598.jpg)
