It seems the perfect time for Renee Cox’s magnificent re-imagining of The Signing of the U.S. Constitution with Modern-Day Women and Men of Color in Place of the Founding Fathers to have its Museum premiere in Boca Raton.
In this large scale piece Cox interprets Howard Chandler Christy’s historical painting, Scene at The Signing of the Constitution of the United States because as she says “It’s about time we re-imagine our own constitutions.”, Her 12-foot long photograph re-imagines women and men of color in the place of the Founding Fathers.
Her subjects are all decked out — some in current fashions, others in 1700s period clothing, and some wear dazzling African garb.
“The Signing was created on a grand scale and in the tradition of history painting,” said Kathleen Goncharov, Senior Curator, Boca Raton Museum of Art. “This is a revisionist look at one of America’s most historic events — the founding of the nation. The image brings to light that although people of color did not participate in the signing of the Constitution, they have most certainly played important roles and made vital contributions to the building of this country.”
Renee Cox is a photographer, artist, lecturer, and political activist who lives in New York and was born in Jamaica. She is a specialist in film and digital portraiture, using light, form, digital technology, and her own signature style to capture the identities and beauty within her subjects. She is recognized as one of the most important African American artists working today to celebrate Black womanhood.One of Cox’s main motivations has always been to create new, positive visual representations of African Americans.
For details and info on how to see the work https://bocamuseum.org/visitLabels: 2020, art, Boca Raton Museum of Art, Renee Cox
