Labored Bodies is a body of work that explores the history of black people in America. This work was prompted by a personal investagation of my maternal family history. My anecestors were purchased and used for their labor.
I spent time reaqainting myself with American history as it relates to imperialism and capitalism. Pigment, paint and fiber, have histories that are clear examples of the use of power to gain more.
Tuesday, February 20,1856 "Grace" the eldest daughter of Mother Elvira was taken to Nesmith, South Carolina by Lawrence Porcher Hext daughter Mary Brisbane Hext- McConnell and husband John Thomas McConnell. Grace was taken to be a slave/ nurse to thier daughter Eliza Ann.
These are my ancestors.
Information researched by a cousin, Tanya Jones-Boland
"They picked cotton so I could paint on it." - Destiny Palmer
Thinking through historical documents I found, created a curiousity that inclinded me to refamiliarizing myself with history. By reframing the experiences of black and whites, rich and poor, in the American south during the mid 1800's, led me to draw questionable connections between a woman in a cotton field, a woman in a fainting room and a posing nude female. Without defining a conclusion, I wanted to play with the ideas of all three histories existing.
A fainting chair for Mother Elvira.
Follow the drinkin' gourd
Follow the drinkin' gourd
For the old man is comin' just to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinkin' gourd
When the sun comes back, and the first quail calls
Follow the drinkin' gourd
For the old man is waiting just to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinkin' gourd
Follow the drinkin' gourd
Follow the drinkin' gourd
For the old man is waiting to carry you to freedom
Follow the drinkin' gourd
Well the river bank makes a mighty good road
"What is important is not the "plunder" or the direct depredationof resources by the European powers, but the long-term consequences of the insititutions that they set up to support extraction." - Dexter Wimberly, CoffeeRhum Sugar &Gold, A Postcolonial Paradox.
"They plowed this space for me."
-Destiny Palmer
