Aunt Emma’s Situation
Breathe
(tag : Breathe 4462)
2013
Private Collection
Assemblage (6.75” x 10.5” x 1.75”)
- pressed copper-lined wood lid to humidor
- pressure gage
- pressed glass holy water bottle
- small wood crucifix
- pressed tin frame
- circa 1930’s photobooth photo
Exhibition History:
California Heritage Museum, April 27-November 8, 2019
Artist description:
This piece comments on the struggles of African-Americans and the stress and pressure they constantly have to deal with as the result of racism in our culture. We see here the artist’s use of a pressure gauge and other visual references to ‘applied pressure’ such as the pressed tin lid to a humidor to represent that stress. We also see the artist’s use of a bottle of holy water and a Christian cross reflecting hope gained by strongly held religious faith.
Publication History:
2021 LGBT Heritage Month Calendar and Cultural Guide
Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles. (Page 54)