Untitled 2012

Kerry James Marshall’s painting presents a Black male figure reclining on a bed. Marshall, born in 1955, grew up during the Civil Rights Movement, and his work often engages with the historical underrepresentation of Black figures in Western art. Here, Marshall challenges traditional representations by portraying his subject in a domestic space. He is adorned with socks and the Pan-African flag, a symbol of Black liberation and unity. The figure's skin is rendered in deep, rich black, a deliberate choice by Marshall to assert Black visibility and presence. As Marshall has said, "Blackness has to be asserted, insisted upon, and made undeniable." The emotional resonance of this piece lies in its quiet intimacy, a stark contrast to the often-politicized depictions of Black bodies. The painting creates an alternative narrative, one that centers Black identity, reclaiming space for self-representation, and reflecting on the complexities of race, identity, and representation.