Ashley Murch: Museum

The piece I chose to sit down and look at was a black and white photograph produced by Carrie Mae Weems. It’s part of a series called “The Kitchen Table” and this exact picture is untitled but is famously referred to as solitaire. Looking at this photograph, I couldn't take my eyes off it. The picture is so simple, but speaks so loud and clear. This photo is pure art. You can just sense the time, emotion and composition was so highly throughout while this photo was being created. Every detail in the picture just has meaning. I am truly in love with the idea of the kitchen table, everyone can relate to it. If your art can speak to strangers, you're a true artist.  The picture is a black and white image of an African American woman sitting at a kitchen table. There's an old styled cone lamp that hangs perfectly  above the subject, that illuminates her face. She has a glass of wine, a cigarette with the box on the table as well. There's an ashtray, a box of chocolates and she is playing solitaire. The picture frame and bird cage that are in the background add to the story the picture is telling. The arts location in the museum confused and still does confuse me. However,  it’s sort of out of place location, makes it really stand out. I just can’t stop looking at this piece. It’s so simple but I could sit here all day and look at it. I can predict that this series, is full of pictures that tell a story of its own. The story I feel this picture tells is a story of a woman's independence and strength. Although she is alone in the picture, she doesn't feel alone, she feels strong. After doing research on the series and Carrie Mae Weems. I fell in love with this series as all the pictures tell such personal stories that are easy to understand. Overall, this piece was amazing and eye capturing.