Revealing the African Presence in Renaissance Europe – Contemporary Response – Featured Image 1

VICTOR EKPUK, ETHIOP
48” x 48”, acrylic and steel on panel, 2012.
Image courtesy of the artist and Morton Fine Art

VICTOR EKPUK’s Artist Statement:

ETHIOP
“My color does not disfigure my honor and wit” –Afonso Alvares” (Portugal, 1500s)
This exhibition is layered with history, memory and meaning. For me, these layers are summed up in; “Head of a Black Slave” (1560-90, cast iron, Venice, Italy). This object with manacled neck and unbowed head has inspired my creation of a painting titled “Ethiop”.
“Ethiop” (a Renaissance description of a black African) explores the symbolisms and metaphors of black as a color. It explores history, relationships, experiences and conditions of being described as “black”, being “black”, and being “black African”.
The layers of meaning explored in “Ethiop” also find expression in my second piece, “Union of Pope Clement VII and Simonetta da Collevecchio”.

Head of a Black Slave
(1560-90, cast iron, Venice, Italy)
Courtesy Walters Art Museum