Print for Core 

This print by Larry Rivers presents us with a fragmented landscape of racial identity in the late 20th century. At its core, the juxtaposition of advertisements for skin-darkening and skin-lightening products reveals the dual and conflicting desires that pervade our culture. Here, the pursuit of beauty is fraught with historical weight. The advertisement of tanning oil shares a canvas with skin-lightening creams. These images become more than mere commodities. They resonate with ancient archetypes of transformation. Think of the myth of the 'Shadow'—the repressed aspects of the self, projected onto others, echoing our fears and desires. This tension between light and dark is not new, but rather a modern manifestation of age-old struggles with identity and self-acceptance. Ultimately, Rivers' work demonstrates how certain images and cultural symbols are in constant flux, reflecting the changing tides of societal values and subconscious anxieties. They are constantly resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings.