Fine Art 2019

Jammie Holmes made this painting to challenge how images of Black people are consumed in our society. Aunt Jemima, the historic brand, is evoked here, but look closely, and you'll see the loaded words and commercial associations, which are far from flattering. Holmes made the painting as a commentary on the long and difficult history of Black representation in American advertising and popular culture. The artist is questioning the way in which the Black image has been used, commodified, and often stereotyped. The painting is a stark commentary on the consumption of Black culture and the artist uses his work to provoke us into reflecting on the social structures that have shaped these representations. To better understand Holmes' work, one could research the history of the Aunt Jemima brand, the advertising industry in the United States, and the broader context of race relations in the country. This work shows that art is never created in a vacuum and that it is contingent on the social and institutional context in which it is made.