Kara Walker, Theme for the Fons Americanus

Theme for the Fons Americanus by Kara Walker was published on the occasion of the Turbine Hall installation Fons Americanus, at Tate Modern (2 October 2019 – 7 February 2021). The edition is a study for Walker’s 13-meter tall fountain sculpture and was inspired by the Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace, London. Instead of celebrating the British Empire, Fons Americanus subverts the usual function of a memorial to question narratives of power and explore the interconnected histories of Africa, America and Europe.

Kara Walker stands as a trailblazing artist, renowned for her provocative and visually stunning explorations of race, gender, and identity in America. Born in 1969 in Stockton, California, Walker rose to prominence in the 1990s with her distinctive silhouette installations, collages and prints that challenge historical narratives and delve into the complex layers of American history. Kara Walker’s artwork is characterized by its use of black cut-paper silhouettes, a form reminiscent of 19th-century silhouette portraiture. Yet, her artworks transcend tradition by subverting the quaintness associated with the medium. Instead, Walker confronts uncomfortable truths about the nation’s past, particularly its legacy of slavery. Her silhouettes, often life-sized and arranged in narrative tableaux, depict unsettling scenes that force viewers to confront the harsh realities of racism and its enduring impact. Kara Walker’s collages and fine art prints exhibit a remarkable fusion of technical skill and conceptual depth. The stark contrast between black and white in her artwork enhances the emotional intensity of her narratives, drawing viewers into the uncomfortable yet necessary dialogue about race and power. The subtle nuances in her use of line and shadow in printmaking echo the complexities of the stories she tells, inviting viewers to engage in a nuanced exploration of history and identity. Kara Walker’s artistic prowess came to the forefront with her groundbreaking 2007 solo exhibition, Kara Walker: My Complement, My Enemy, My Oppressor, My Love at The Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, showcasing the power of her provocative artworks. The show travelled on to Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris; the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York; the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles; and the Museum of Modern Art in Fort Worth. Further major solo exhibitions were held at Kunstmuseum Basel (2021), Turbine Hall, Tate Modern, London (2019) and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (2006).

Kara Walker, Theme for the Fons Americanus