Family Study 2000

Here we see Benny Andrews's symbolic exploration of heritage and identity in *Family Study*, with his signature blend of painting and collage. Andrews, born into rural poverty in Georgia during the Great Depression, developed a visual language rooted in his personal experiences of marginalization and resilience. His work often serves as a form of social commentary, challenging conventional narratives and giving voice to the underrepresented. The figures here, seemingly floating on a cloud above an enigmatic landscape, invite us to consider the complexities of memory, belonging, and aspiration. What does it mean to look back? Andrews once said "I’m trying to deal with the thing that’s been left out." In this work Andrews asks us to reckon with not only the things that have been left out, but also the relationship of the present to both the past and to nature. Consider how Andrews positions the family amidst the landscape. The placement of the figures—elevated yet distant—creates a sense of longing, perhaps reflecting the artist’s own yearning to reconnect with his roots.