Male I&II

by John Lucas, 1996

gelatin silver prints and found objects

The artist, John Lucas, is Claudia Rankine's husband. The two artists have collaborated on pieces in the past that deal with issues similar to those addressed in the Citizen. Male I&II itself is very interesting. It highlights differences between ideas of masculinity for black and white males. It is a visual representation how much more black men have to overcome and how many different challenges they face in comparison to white men in society. A lot more is expected of white men and they have a lot to live up to in order to remain “dominant” in society, while at the same time almost nothing is expected of black men which means they have a lot to prove and face many more obstacles to be successful black males.

According to an excerpt from his personal art website,“My work often begins as an assemblage or collage where parts get interchanged and altered until the final form takes shape. I like working with a palette of components using the same objects in multiple pieces. Figures are initially sculpted for a particular context but also find places in other works. My process is always evolving as I discover new methods, materials, and collect more things to work with.” This gives an insight into the process and method behind the works of art John Lucas produces.

The medium Lucas chooses is a combination of many different pieces, photographs etc. Similar to his choice of medium, this work shows the culmination of many different elements which come together as one to make something much more meaningful. This work shows that although the pieces can be distinctly different, when they come together to serve one purpose they work together perfectly.

~ Sarah Green and Dustin Kiser

"Poet Claudia Rankine on the Violent Deaths of Black Men." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2017.

<http://www.pbs.org/newshour/poetry/poet-claudia-rankine-on-the-violent-deaths-of-black-men/>.

"John Lucas." Poetry Center. The University of Arizona, 27 Oct. 2015. Web. 31 Jan. 2017. <http://poetry.arizona.edu/people/john-lucas>.

Julia, Grady Says, Madison Says, and Suchurchill. "About." Literary Analysis S16. N.p., 25 Apr. 2016. Web. 31 Jan. 2017. <http://litanalysis.suzannechurchill.com/s16/2016/04/25/citizen-black-masculinity/>.