Shots Fired 2016

Editor: So, this is Monica Ikegwu’s 2016 acrylic painting, "Shots Fired." The red background is really intense, and those bars cutting across the portrait… it feels confrontational, almost violent. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a powerful visual statement on visibility and vulnerability within the Black community. The “shots” slicing across the figure evoke a sense of targeted aggression, reflecting the historical and ongoing systemic violence faced by Black individuals. Ikegwu seems to be placing the Black body in a position to be dissected and objectified, while forcing a discussion about representation and power. Editor: That's a strong reading. The red as a symbol of violence, definitely. Are you also seeing those bars as censoring or silencing? Curator: Absolutely. The lines can represent the ways Black voices and experiences are often marginalized or erased from mainstream narratives. Think about whose stories get told and whose get ignored. It challenges the viewer to consider their own role in these structures. Editor: It is almost like those horizontal lines visually prevent a direct gaze. It also disrupts the smoothness you would see in traditional portraiture. Curator: Exactly! Ikegwu is subverting traditional portraiture. By fragmenting the image, she highlights the complexities of Black identity, defying singular or simplified narratives. She resists easy consumption. Think about the history of portraiture, and how it's been used to reinforce power structures. Ikegwu is doing the opposite. Do you think her stylistic choices, especially this fragmented composition, aid in her challenge to that portraiture history? Editor: Yes, I do. Thinking about those conventions is really helpful here. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! It's always about digging beneath the surface and exploring the artwork's deeper conversations with the world.