Slave Advertising Figure c. 1941

This watercolor painting by Chris Makrenos depicts an advertising figure of a Black man. The figure is adorned with what appears to be a turban, gold jewelry, and draped in a shawl-like cloth, holding what could be a rifle. The turban is of particular interest: in Western art, turbans often symbolize exoticism, and were frequently used in depictions of people from the Middle East, Africa, or Asia. The turban can be traced back through history, evolving from functional headwear to a symbol of status. The figure's pose, with the suggestion of a rifle, recalls images of military conquest. However, the overall presentation is suggestive of servitude, reflecting the complex ways in which such symbols have been manipulated, sometimes to evoke power, and other times oppression. The intent behind this image engages our collective memory and subconscious biases, reminding us of the cyclical nature of how symbols of power and identity can be repurposed and misinterpreted across different times and cultures.