Freedom, A Fable: The Curious Interpretation of a Negress in Curious Times

Kara Walker, "Freedom, A Fable: The Curious Interpretation of a Negress in Curious Times," 1997.

This is a handheld version of Walker’s more typical, life sized silhouettes. Her bizarre images  and words interact to create a narrative about a freed slave’s journey to Africa. The role of sexuality is instrumental in this work as it serves as a platform for her exploration of slavery in America’s memory. 

Typically, pop-up books are made for children, and are meant to socialize ideal morals and standards in the youngest members of society. Instead, this radical contemporary work uses this traditional format to critique the sexual history of African-Americans and focuses on the sexual victimization of many female slaves by their owners.