Analysis Of Kerry James Marshall's Painting 'Gulf Stream'
In 2003, Kerry James Marshall created the painting known as Gulf Stream. This painting, according to the exhibit label, was based on a painting by Winslow Homer, also titled Gulf Stream. (exhibit intro panel) Marshall’s painting depicts a black family on a small sailboat sailing toward dark clouds. On the other side of the clouds, rays from the bright sun radiate out and reflect off the water. Other boats are seen in the distance. The water is a bright blue, matching the blue sky above the dark clouds. Around the whole scene, Marshall painted a golden rope that frames his work. In person, this work is quite striking. It is in the neighborhood of seven feet tall and ten feet across. The painting’s size alone does wonders to draw viewers …show more content…
In the MCA video interview, Marshall explained how when he was young, there were very few, if any, artists who painted black people. He made it his goal to portray black people as equal to white people, but that was very challenging. He had to spend years perfecting his techniques to match that of other world famous painters of the day. Later in the interview, Marshall discusses how, unlike many artists, his paintings aren’t made in self expression. Instead of expressing his own personality and feelings into his work, he portrays ideas through each piece. These are ideas that are universally applicable to all people regardless of race, gender, and socioeconomic status. The biggest single idea portrayed by Gulf Stream is the idea that in order to live a happy life, one must go through hard times. Without understanding hardships, one cannot appreciate true happiness. In my analysis of this painting, I mostly saw this as support for civil equality between black and white people, but it is actually much deeper and more universal than that. It is a message painted through black people that affects all people. As a result of this research, I now see Gulf Stream as a depiction of humankind overcoming adversity to reach a better situation than their present
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