March 6, 2024

White on White: Stone Mountain, 2022 is a daring narrative about the deconstruction of not only Confederate figures but more predominately, the oppression of minorities throughout history. Many historical statues and sites are still promoted despite the racist and problematic statements that they convey. Sawyer challenges these notions and speaks out about the injustice that is still commonplace today.

In this print, we see the Stone Mountain Park Memorial Carving which features Confederate figures of the Civil War: President Jefferson Davis, Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, and General Robert E. Lee. This print shows the weight of the immense stone carving actively crushing black men in white suits. The linear waves of this print lead you in many different directions, making the viewer take the time to decipher the work of art. The work resonates with many people and holds a strong explication with viewers who endure the unjust facets of the United States. This is symbolic of the systematic racism that oppresses minorities is still implemented in society and many institutions today. 

This print is emulating Sawyer’s famous painting, White on White: Stone Mountain, 2019 which was purchased by the Detroit Institute of Arts. Tylonn J. Sawyer was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and is an internationally renowned artist. Sawyer earned his BFA in Drawing & Painting from Eastern Michigan University and completed his MFA in Painting from the New York Academy of Art: Graduate School of Figurative Art program.

Written by Colleen Sikorski

https://www.tylonn-j-sawyer.com/contact-1

https://www.modeldmedia.com/devnews/DIA-Tylonn-Sawyer.aspx

 

ON PRESS: PRINTS FOR NONPROFITS; DETROIT ARTISTS SUPPORT NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

https://www.signalreturnpress.org/on-press-project

 

 

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