Cut Paper Silhouettes: Kara Walker

Dublin Core

Description

Kara Walker's cut paper silhouettes are large black-on-white scenes depicting the brutal history of American slavery and racial trauma. Using stark, often exaggerated figures in acts of violence and exploitation, she forces viewers to confront racist imagery and historical power dynamics. Her unflinching work aims to disrupt romanticized pasts and expose the lasting impact of slavery and racial inequality.

Date Created

mid-1990s

Subject

Slavery, African-American, Racism

Medium

Is Part Of

Source

Rights

The student curator has determined that the use of the following material qualifies as fair use under Section 107 of the Copyright Act for the purpose of criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research.

Rights Holder

© 2025 Kara Walker

Accrual Method

Ralph E. Shikes Fund

Still Image Item Type Metadata

Original Format

Physical Dimensions

Varies

Files

cutpapersilhouettes.jpg
cutpapersilhouettes.2.jpeg
cutpapersilhouettes.3.jpg

Tags

Citation

Walker, Kara Elizabeth, “Cut Paper Silhouettes: Kara Walker,” Mississippi State University Libraries, accessed May 13, 2025, https://msstate-exhibits.libraryhost.com/items/show/3007.

Item Relations

This item has no relations.

Transcribe This Item

  1. cutpapersilhouettes.jpg
  2. cutpapersilhouettes.2.jpeg
  3. cutpapersilhouettes.3.jpg