An Unpeopled Land In Uncharted Waters 2010

Kara Walker, born in 1969, is a contemporary artist whose work often explores themes of race, gender, sexuality, and violence through the lens of American history. In this print, a black silhouette of a woman is wearing what appears to be a makeshift bonnet, set against a stark, undefined background. This image invites reflection on historical and cultural narratives of black womanhood. Walker’s art often references the antebellum South, particularly the use of black silhouettes in popular culture. The bonnet here can be read as both protective and restrictive, symbolizing the complex constraints placed on black women throughout history. Walker once said, “I don’t want to make work about things I dislike. I am interested in art that reflects who we are as humans.” This print unsettles comfortable readings of the past by forcing us to confront the unpeopled, uncharted waters of history and identity.