Grace M.

Grace's Artist's Statement

I chose to do this amazing artwork because I wanted people to have a visual of Theophilus’ story. This story is important to learn about and share with others, because in order to not repeat mistakes in the future we must learn and educate about our history. Theophilus taught me how slavery did not just happen in the south but the town that I live in. Hearing this story, and what an unfair life he lived while having to support all of his children, I realize it must have been unbelievably hard. In that time period, smallpox was one of the most infectious diseases known to humans, killing up to 30% of infected individuals and 300 million to 500 million people. Sadly, while we do not know what his wife and baby William died from, it is assumed that they passed from smallpox because of the time period. Overall, this story was meaningful to learn about, and although it was hard to hear and imagine, I am proud to be the person who gets to pass on this story and respect his legacy.