Erin Kendrick is a visual artist and arts educator from Jacksonville, Florida. Her color-rich, acrylic ink-stained works of art and transformative installations seek to inspire a dialogue about contemporary spectatorship and the power of language as it relates to perceptions of and about black women.
Earlier this evening she released the following statement concerning her portraits, “Give Them Their Flowers”
Many of you have asked me about the meaning behind my portraits, “Give Them Their Flowers” currently on view at the Ritz Theatre and Museum‘s, Through Our Eyes 2019 exhibition. My artist statement is below. Please take a moment to read it when you have some time…
The portraits of Delani Berries Stuckey, Marsha P. Johnson and Celine Walker were created to bring awareness to the recent rise in unsolved murders of black transsexual women locally and nationally. “Deadnaming,” the public release of a person’s birth name and gender rather than their affirmed (changed) name and gender, can impede a criminal investigation. Its recurrence in the cases of murdered black transsexual women may be a contributing factor as to why their crimes remain unsolved. Learning that the murder of Marsha P. Johnson, an icon from the Stonewall riots, was treated similarly and remains unsolved ignited my interest in honoring these women as they lived. The title, “Give Them Their Flowers,” is a nod to Johnson’s flower crowns which she often wore. Conceptually, it reminds us to honor and take better care of one another while we are living rather than after death. The use of live flowers, that will die over the course of the exhibition, is a simple reminder that there is beauty in all things, but without care, or regard for all human lives, demise is inevitable.
Special thanks to Living Beauty Florals for assistance with the floral installation. Please tag individuals or organizations who may want to know that these paintings exist.
“Delani Berries Stuckey, North Charleston, 7/20/19”
Give Them Their Flowers
2019, 36”x48”, acrylic ink, sharpie, spray paint
“Marsha P. Johnson, 7/6/92”
Give Them Their Flowers
2019, 36”x48”, acrylic ink, sharpie, spray paint
“Celine Walker, Jacksonville, 2/9/18”
Give Them Their Flowers
2019, 36”x48”, acrylic ink, sharpie, spray paint