Lorna Simpson Reponse

I feel mostly confused about my interpretation of Lorna Simpson’s work. I agree with the articles in many aspects. For example, Simpson’s photographs are social and political commentary. I understand that she is trying to make a statement about society, and she sets up her photographs on purpose to do this, rather than taking pictures of candid events. She also, like the other artists we have been studying in class, uses words with her photos to further her point.

What I do not understand about Lorna Simpson is how the subjects of her photo supposedly have so much power. Both of the first two articles mentioned that Simpson’s photos are not showing her subjects as victims, and that, rather, they are maintaing a sense of power by hiding their faces. The New York Times’s article in response to “Waterbearer” says, “At the same time, because her face isn’t visible, she retains a degree of control. Her thoughts and history are her own.”

I cannot understand this statement, because I feel like by hiding the woman’s face, they are taking away her personality. I don’t see it as allowing her a degree of control. Instead, she has lost all control and does not even maintain her own individuality anymore. She is merely a body, a secretary, a medical test – all with no name. In “Easy to Remember,” I get the same feeling. Sure the people are able to make noise, but they can all only hum one tune, and they can’t open their mouths, etc.. How are they NOT victims? I am trying to understand this, and if anyone has a reponse that they would like to leave in the comments, I would be happy to hear it.

The image I chose is barely on topic, but I found it to be really interesting. I was interested in Lorna Simpson’s piece with all of the wigs, so I chose to read about different artists experiences using hair and the identity of the hair. This artist of this is Sonya Clark. I think it is relevant, because for me, all of the power is taken away from the hair in this image. Like Simpson’s work, there is no face, therefore, no identity.