Scared

"SCARD" draws inspiration from the hauntingly famous photograph of Peter, also known as "Gordon", who escaped to join the Union Soldiers in 1863 from a Louisiana plantation. His photograph, taken along with other soldiers at the time, gained prominence due to the severe scarring on his back – a result of brutal whippings by his slave master or overseer. This photograph stands as a stark, visceral testament to the cruel treatment of slaves. In "SCARD," I aim to encapsulate not just the physical scars of Peter's experience, but also the broader narrative of African American suffering under slavery. The painting employs meticulous strokes to replicate the texture of whip scars, creating a tangible sense of the brutality endured. The canvas is painted in shades of black and brown, symbolizing Peter's skin and, by extension, his journey and endurance. This piece is a somber reflection on the inhumane treatment of slaves, a reminder of a dark period in history where human beings were subjec