afro.died, T. 2011

Rozeal made "afro.died, T." with paint on canvas. Imagine the artist making marks, layering, and scraping back. Looking at this, I imagine Rozeal thinking about layering meaning. The figure is powerful yet demure, immersed in contemplation. I'm taken by the bold lines defining the forms, the texture, the way colors are juxtaposed, like the green robe with its white fur trim, which gives it a luxurious feel, contrasting with the figure's tattoo. The background is active, almost like script or pattern, and pushes forward, creating a flattened space. The composition might reference traditional portraiture, but the color palette and symbols create something totally different. Painters are always borrowing and building on each other's work. I think Rozeal is in conversation with artists who mix representation and abstraction, and who explore themes of identity, history, and culture.