Photograph by
Williams, Amanda, American, born 1974
Date
2014-2016; printed 2020
Medium
ink on photographic paper
Dimensions
H x W (sheet): 22 × 30 in. (55.9 × 76.2 cm)
H x W (image): 20 × 28 in. (50.8 × 71.1 cm)
Caption
Statement from the artist:
“From 2014-2015 Amanda Williams created a contemporary art project called Color(ed) Theory. Amanda covertly and without permission, painted empty houses in and around Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood that were slated for demolition. She developed a unique, culturally coded, monochromatic color palette based on hues found in primarily in consumer products marketed toward Black people along commercial corridors on Chicago’s South Side. The project emphasized how colors have socially constructed associations that are inextricably linked to race and class. The series explored how academic and theoretical definitions of color map across veiled language used in American media/popular culture to describe racially charged city spaces. What color is urban? What color is gentrification? What color is privilege? Williams then photographed each house, calling attention to the architectural details as well as their isolated context.”
Description
A digital print color photograph of a house painted a dark teal blue in a grassy city lot. The house is a single story brick house with a red shingled hip style roof. There are two low and wide concrete steps leading up to the front metal security door on the right side of the house, and three square, perforated metal coverings on the large window to the left. A mail slot is next to the front door, just beneath the window. Several tall green bushes or weeds grow in front of the window. The house, including the metal covered window, door, and steps has been painted teal blue. Only the red roof shingles have not been painted. There is a short side walk leading from the front steps to the sidewalk in front. The surrounding yard is slightly overgrown with several flowering weeds. In the background are large, leafy trees and several other small houses. The sky is bright blue with large white clouds. On the verso in graphite is the photographer's signature and inscription: [Amanda Williams 2014-2016 / COLOR(ED) THEORY: Loose Squares / Newport 100's / Edition of 10].
Place depicted
Englewood, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States, North and Central America
Portfolio/Series
Color(ed) Theory Suite, 2014-2016
Classification
Visual Arts
Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design
Media Arts-Photography
Type
digital prints
Topic
Advertising
Architecture
Art
Black geographies
Communities
Design
Housing
Photography
Race discrimination
Urban life
Urban planning
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, purchased through the American Women's History Initiative Acquisitions Pool, administered by the Smithsonian American Women's History Initiative
Object number
2021.36.4
Restrictions & Rights
© Amanda Williams
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd565f3d92d-f432-43e8-9f60-b832c886117b

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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