Zara's Artist Statement

In tribute to Theophilus, I drew a picture summarizing the major events in his life. The separated heart is to represent Theophilus's initial separation from his parents. The map of Africa and North America are there to symbolize where he started and finished his life. The boat is to embody his journey and being taken from his home. In many pictures online the boats that were transporting the enslaved were as uncomfortable and crowded as a prison cell. Sadly, many major moments about Mr. Niger’s life are still unknown. It is not yet determined where in Africa Mr. Niger was taken from or where he was even born. The cow and the sheep are livestock to illustrate what the earmarks of some of Theophilus’s cattle may have looked like. The ear mark is like a cut/ mark or label in the ear of livestock animals such as cattle, deer, pigs, goats, camels or sheep, made to show ownership, year of birth or sex of the given animal. It is thought that he took care of his cattle like they were his children. The handcuffs being broken are showing his freedom from enslavement when he was set free. The rings tied around each other are to show his forever lasting connection with his wife when Theophilus got married. He married Penelope Tantipen on April 14, 1748. Finally, The stick figure children are to symbolize his 6 children. I think Theophilus’s life was extremely inspiring and I hope his story continues to do so!