My art sparks conversations about cyclical, racial, and socio-economic issues that minorities face within the judicial and social justice systems of America.
-Mirakal Jackson
Artist Statement
The themes of my work are social justice and equality. My art speaks for those who may not be able to speak up for themselves. I work to spark conversations about cyclical, racial, and socio-economic issues that minorities face within the judicial and social justice systems of America. Black people have been unlawfully killed, excessively convicted, and imprisoned with minimal justified reasons for decades. The historical and current oppression of people of color suffocates and frustrates me. As a black woman, I feel it is my duty to speak up about things that negatively impact my gender and race.
I explore my themes through narrative by making connections. For example, I showed the connection between the American and Confederate flags through painting, installation, and mixed media. Painting allows me to control my narrative while losing control of the medium through color blending, fine details, brush strokes, and textures made by my brushes. Historically, paint was used in many symbolic ways, such as to mark doors during the Underground Railroad, and even to paint faces, as in blackface makeup, used by performers. This rich and complicated history is why I chose paint as my primary medium. I illustrate my ideas in a connotative and thought-provoking manner.
I hope my work opens the minds of closed-minded people. I hope it encourages people who are usually quiet to speak up about important issues. Most of all, I hope it encourages healthy conversations through well-thought questions. My works may sadden some yet encourage or empower others. It is up to the audience to determine what they take away from them.
The themes of my work are social justice and equality. My art speaks for those who may not be able to speak up for themselves. I work to spark conversations about cyclical, racial, and socio-economic issues that minorities face within the judicial and social justice systems of America. Black people have been unlawfully killed, excessively convicted, and imprisoned with minimal justified reasons for decades. The historical and current oppression of people of color suffocates and frustrates me. As a black woman, I feel it is my duty to speak up about things that negatively impact my gender and race.
I explore my themes through narrative by making connections. For example, I showed the connection between the American and Confederate flags through painting, installation, and mixed media. Painting allows me to control my narrative while losing control of the medium through color blending, fine details, brush strokes, and textures made by my brushes. Historically, paint was used in many symbolic ways, such as to mark doors during the Underground Railroad, and even to paint faces, as in blackface makeup, used by performers. This rich and complicated history is why I chose paint as my primary medium. I illustrate my ideas in a connotative and thought-provoking manner.
I hope my work opens the minds of closed-minded people. I hope it encourages people who are usually quiet to speak up about important issues. Most of all, I hope it encourages healthy conversations through well-thought questions. My works may sadden some yet encourage or empower others. It is up to the audience to determine what they take away from them.