In Memory of Those Taken (2020)
In Memory of Those Taken was a project borne out of the need to honor the lives of black individuals whose lives have been taken as a result of police brutality, or racially motivated attacks. The ghostly blue images on the banners come from a series of cyanotype prints that I created in response to the recent loss of George Floyd to police brutality. Having first handedly witnessed my home of Minneapolis, Minnesota erupt in an uproar of social justice, with the rest of the world standing up in solidarity, I felt compelled to add my voice to the chorus.
The design uses gathered flowers, and found images sourced from news outlets, as this project was born out the need to make a statement. I have listed the names of black figures whose lives have been unjustly murdered under the guise of white supremacy. I refuse to allow the faces of individuals such as George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and the unfortunate others to go forgotten.
These banners exist as a way to remember the lives they had, and as a way to collectively mourn the future they lost. By presenting these individuals in a field of flowers, I actively reject the narratives that corporate news outlets and social media employ to tarnish their images. This work speaks directly to the reality that black people face in America. That on any given day, it could be you on the news. So with this project, you will know their faces. You will know their names. I wish to present these images of the departed here in the park, and bring their stories back to life to pay respect and homage to lives cut far too short. In Memory of Those Taken, serves as a reminder that black lives more than just matter. They are incredibly valuable and will be deeply missed.
The Portraits:
George Floyd
Breonna Taylor
Ahmaud Arbery
Isahak Muse
Sandra Bland
Chance David Baker
Renisha McBride
