Felandus Thames USA, b. 1974
African King of Dubious Origins #2 (Green), 2021
Hair beads on coated wire on aluminum rod
99.1 x 61 cm
39 x 24 in
39 x 24 in
Copyright The Artist
Rodney Glen King (April 2, 1965 – June 17, 2012) was an African-American man who was a victim of police brutality. On March 3, 1991, King was beaten by LAPD...
Rodney Glen King (April 2, 1965 – June 17, 2012) was an African-American man who was a victim of police brutality. On March 3, 1991, King was beaten by LAPD officers during his arrest, after a high-speed chase, for driving while intoxicated on I-210. An uninvolved individual, George Holliday, filmed the incident from his nearby balcony and sent the footage to local news station KTLA. The footage showed an unarmed King on the ground being beaten after initially evading arrest. The incident was covered by news media around the world and caused a public furor.
Words are very important in the work of Felandus Thames. He is interested in the residual memory of objects and images, the symbolism of which evokes nostalgia and storytelling. Objects and words, deconstructed in the artist's work, carry stories. Stories that must be shown and told, so that they take their rightful place in history and in the collective memory of the present moment. The important thing is not to be silent; not to forget.
Words are very important in the work of Felandus Thames. He is interested in the residual memory of objects and images, the symbolism of which evokes nostalgia and storytelling. Objects and words, deconstructed in the artist's work, carry stories. Stories that must be shown and told, so that they take their rightful place in history and in the collective memory of the present moment. The important thing is not to be silent; not to forget.
Exhibitions
Face to Face – 193 Gallery, Paris On May 25, 2020, Georges Floyd was assassinated by a white "peacekeeper" who was "only doing his job". As with so many black men and women before him, US authorities are trying to bury the incident. Did this happen too many times ? Certainly not, the too many times was a long time ago, but within a divided America, this incident triggers a movement of revolt which force is in the image of the injustice suffered by Georges Floyd. His last words "I can't breath" became the slogan of this fight which denounces a systemic racism present in our modern societies. These movements of revolts which explode in the four corners of the United States have found an echo elsewhere in the world, and pancartes "I CAN'T BREATH" appear in large-scale demonstrations from Paris to Copenhagen and from London to Madrid. Through this exhibition, which highlights the young African-American scene, the floor is given to five artists who, through their work, confront their truth with those of others. Because the word "confront" its importance in the present context. It is no longer the time to lament or to be a passive spectator, but to confront a reality that must change by the commitment of each of us. To use the words of a friend and collector "Artists are not alone, but with their imagination and sensitivity they are often the pioneers who trace the path". We therefore invite you to a face to face meeting with five artists who refuse to no longer be able to breathe.
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