"a shadow of my former self"
this piece is by Kerry James Marshall, an african-american man from Chicago. this is entitled "a shadow of my former self" because most of the painting is flat, and the same color: black. the silhouette is flat black, and blends in with the hat and jacket. nearly all facial features are hidden in the shadows, but the mouth is bright white and missing a tooth. this is a reference to his childhood, and a representation of being broken in a way. the collar is sharp and contrasts against the dark jacket. it is very close to his neck, which indicates a degree of danger, likely stemming from his history and roots in Alabama and Chicago.
