Presenter Information

Jessica AllisonFollow

Degree Program

Graduate

Major

Art History

Abstract

Identity performance is an aspect of everyday life and can be seen in an individual's daily routines, or even the way they present themselves in specific social situations. These performances of identity can also be displayed in the actions one puts in to a piece of art. In African-Caribbean societies artists have become aware of the importance identity holds for their community and many of them put these ideas in to their artwork. The conscious decisions that these artists make in the creation and display of their artworks act as performances of an identity that they are attempting to convey. Presenting themselves in a specific fashion to the outside world demonstrates the importance that is placed on outside perceptions of oneself, which is the driving force behind the way individuals perform their own identity.

This paper will look at the ways in which artists represent themselves as individuals, and as members of an African-Caribbean community, through the choices they make with their art. These ideas will be looked at in relation to the concepts seen in performance theory, as well as agency theory. The idea of this paper is to demonstrate how individuals view identity and how African-Caribbean artists consciously perform identities in their works as a way of creating community and cultural awareness.

Start Date

12-2-2017 1:30 PM

End Date

12-2-2017 2:45 PM

COinS
 
Feb 12th, 1:30 PM Feb 12th, 2:45 PM

Identity Performance: African-Caribbean Artists as Creators of Cultural Community

Identity performance is an aspect of everyday life and can be seen in an individual's daily routines, or even the way they present themselves in specific social situations. These performances of identity can also be displayed in the actions one puts in to a piece of art. In African-Caribbean societies artists have become aware of the importance identity holds for their community and many of them put these ideas in to their artwork. The conscious decisions that these artists make in the creation and display of their artworks act as performances of an identity that they are attempting to convey. Presenting themselves in a specific fashion to the outside world demonstrates the importance that is placed on outside perceptions of oneself, which is the driving force behind the way individuals perform their own identity.

This paper will look at the ways in which artists represent themselves as individuals, and as members of an African-Caribbean community, through the choices they make with their art. These ideas will be looked at in relation to the concepts seen in performance theory, as well as agency theory. The idea of this paper is to demonstrate how individuals view identity and how African-Caribbean artists consciously perform identities in their works as a way of creating community and cultural awareness.