Among the stories, commentaries, and multi-layered messages in our June exhibit, “(CON)text,” one piece stood out to juror John James Anderson: A Common Thread, which tells its story through vintage photos, manuscripts documenting slave transactions, antique fabric, and clay and cotton. Anderson selected the piece for the Urquhart Award for best in show.
The artist, Kathlyn James Avila, told us more about her figure work, her influences, her love of mixed media, and the heritage and sacrifice represented in A Common Thread. It’s all in our Q&A, below.
Since the show this month is about work with a message, what does this sculpture mean to you?
Kathlyn James Avila: The message of A Common Thread is to give homage to the many African American children that had to work in cotton fields. Too often, those children were not recognized as being beautiful and having the opportunity to be dressed in fine laces and adornment. My figure was inspired by actual photos of children that had to work in cotton fields or on farms because of enslavement or the necessity in helping their families economically. As an African American, our common thread, for the most part, extends from our forefathers and mothers that had to make sacrifices during their childhood to empower our lives throughout each generation. Continue reading Q&A with Award Winner Kathlyn J. Avila