The book I decided to read was a book by Kerry James Marshall, called “Along the Way”. This book explains how Marshall, as an artist, grew and developed over the years. It also explains why he is so passionate about bringing the black subject towards the forefront of his work, and why it is based upon every life and cultural symbolism.

The book explains his work as contemporary because of the fusion of classical and vermicular approach with conceptually orientated motives. Marshall’s work was explained to be pictorial, from his own personal experiences, art history and political views.

My one major insight to this book was the passion both the author, Deborah Smith and Marshall have. This being a strong sight upon black power and the way that the black figure within paintings must evoke strength to match the power Marshall saw being displayed for the white ethnicity within his early years. One quote I found inspiring and interesting was a quote given by Marshall himself,

“We cannot enter the struggle as objects in order to later become subjects”. (Pg.7)

 This to me sounds like a challenge to art. Before the black figure was absence within artwork, had no placement or shown as a piece of property not a person. It is also giving the perspective from someone who is seen as ‘Gate-crashing’, looking from the outside into another ethnicity or culture. Throughout the book Marshall clearly states his views upon racism and his perspective of white power against black. He believes that there is an imbalance of power that exists between white ethnicity, in this world, and everybody else. He reasons for this “Global Dominance”. I plan to take this book as inspiration for my work, and focus on trying to create equal power between black and white ethnicity, culture and sexual origin. It helped me to see the effects artwork can place on people, either good or bad. As Marshall made clear throughout the pages of “Along the Way”. Artwork has a powerful influence; it contains an aura of magnificence and can be used in such a powerful manor.

MARSHALL, K. (2005) Along The Way, Camden Arts Centre: Deborah Smith.