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Original poster

Bought a print I love, DH is worried it's racist

999 replies

NC4T · 31/05/2018 21:12

Saw it on IG and loved it. Purchased it for the laundry room corridor, but it's arrived and DH is a little worried it might be racist. I can't see how. To me, it's a mum finding a few minutes of calm in the chaos and I love her babies little sleeping face.

We are white Jewish, for cultural context.

What do you think?

OP posts:
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17
poca · 31/05/2018 22:27

She looks content and elegant.

Believeitornot · 31/05/2018 22:27

Surely part of the point of art is to invoke reactions.

Those who react in a certain uncomfortable way - it’s you that’s the issue not the art. The art isn’t racist. How is it?

The woman looks normal to me as I’ve seen many women carry their babies like that in real life.

It strikes me as a contrasting image of different worlds. Someone bound by housework but waiting for her clothes and using that time to read.

OfaFrenchmind2 · 31/05/2018 22:29

It actually says a lot about you that you think she is impoverished. If we were to make assumptions she seems more like a modern young mum that is feeling free and confortable enough in her skin to go around her house naked.

JamieVardysHavingAParty · 31/05/2018 22:30

He's a wonderful man but I guarantee he does not know about the fetishisation of BAME bodies in art.

Eh, I'm still undecided, but even if he hasn't read any pieces on it, he might have developed a bit of a spidey sense about it that makes it seem exploitative. For myself, I picked up terminology like "fetishisation" from places like MN, but they served to articulate a pre-existing discomfort, rather than to teach me to feel discomfort.

You can learn it just from visiting gift shops that stock a remarkable amount figurines of brown women bathing in pools while elephants watch. It's like teenage boys pretending they had particular issues of National Geographic for the articles.

Amanduh · 31/05/2018 22:30

No it’s not remotely racist

MaryandMichael · 31/05/2018 22:31

Ach, she's not poor. The baby did a massive poo on her just before falling asleep. She's taking it all calmly (perhaps because she's breastfeeding and is full of lovely sleepy hormones) and she's put all their clothes in the wash, settled the baby and is reading her book. Also, the vibration from the washer she's leaning on, and the swooshy noise it makes, is helping the baby to sleep so she's in a win-win situation. She's a beautiful, contented woman with a happy baby. She's at home, the weather's good at the moment, so why would she need clothes? I'd visit her. I'd make the tea because she wouldn't be arsed but she'd enjoy a brew and a biscuit. That washer's in her utility room, by the way, and the cleaner came round yesterday to go over the kitchen and four bathrooms. She's an academic and she'll be taking the full year for maternity leave. Actually, I think I might know her...

Gwenhwyfar · 31/05/2018 22:34

"what makes you think this hypothetical woman didn't originally come from the "western world" "

The way the baby is wrapped around her back seems typically African to me. European women generally who carry their babies in a sling or scarf generally have them at the front.

DioneTheDiabolist · 31/05/2018 22:34

I love it! OP it is beautiful, thought provoking, and looking at it makes me feel happy.Smile The washing machine and book are very clever.

I hope it brings you much pleasure.

Bouledeneige · 31/05/2018 22:34

I dont really think its racist but its a bit odd. I'm not sure I'm keen on women being characterised in this way. Well anyway, its not to my taste.

iwishicouldbelikedavidwatts · 31/05/2018 22:35

add several pounds and change the skin-tone and that's me. wouldn't choose to have it in my laundry room corridor (lol) though...

MiggeldyHiggins · 31/05/2018 22:35

The way the baby is wrapped around her back seems typically African to me. European women generally who carry their babies in a sling or scarf generally have them at the front

they don't. babywearers carry front and/or back, ethnicity does not come into it.

QuackPorridgeBacon · 31/05/2018 22:40

I don’t see it as racist but I can see how people may view t as racist, although it will be their view that is racist not the art tales. If that makes sense to anyone? I like it though, I find it intriguing and some people do walk around their home naked even if I do not. In fact I think I would probably purchase it too. I don’t think I’ll forget it really.

SuburbanRhonda · 31/05/2018 22:40

I don’t like it and I don’t think it’s art - sorry, I know you didn’t ask that.

OptimisticHamster · 31/05/2018 22:45

Taken with the artist’s other work I don’t think it’s racist at all. As a Mum who did baby wear even around the house when mine were little, I like it a lot.

Original poster
NC4T · 31/05/2018 22:46

That's interesting Rhonda.... what is art then, and what makes this not-art?

OP posts:
MiggeldyHiggins · 31/05/2018 22:46

how is it not art?

PhilODox · 31/05/2018 22:49

I see it as a mum who's actually found five minutes peace to read, her baby's asleep, the laundry's on... and her book is far too good to do something as mundane as out it down and get dressed! ive never done similar, oh no

JennieLee · 31/05/2018 22:49

It's twee and sentimental.

SuburbanRhonda · 31/05/2018 22:49

Well, yes, it’s art because someone’s painted it. I’m not sure I can explain what I mean by saying it’s not art. Maybe I should have stuck with “I don’t like it”!

pieceofpurplesky · 31/05/2018 22:50

The whole point of art is to strike up conversation. Ultimately it is you perception of what the artist has produced.
This painting makes me think of the poem 'Women Work' by Maya Angelou with a modern twist. The poem is about slavery - I don't see this as slavery but as the women here is also a strong woman who is getting on with her life. I just immediately think of the words in the poem

www.google.co.uk/search?q=woman+work+poem+by+maya+angelou&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-gb&client=safari#imgrc=BNL4wew8A5QSuM:

sleepingdragons · 31/05/2018 22:51

its perfectly realistic once you realise that other people are not you and do things that you don't do

Grin

Exactly. Or... perhaps we missed the edict that art should only portray people who conform to mainstream social norms?

AjasLipstick · 31/05/2018 22:51

She's been objectified and domesticated. Of course it's racist....even if the artist didn't INTEND for it to be so he has removed her dignity by portraying her with a traditional baby carrier and in no clothing...and then put her in a solidly Western environment NAKED!

Also it's quite amateur looking.

Definitely NOT something you should hang.

Cuckooclocks · 31/05/2018 22:52

I don’t think it’s racist. I feel like it’s showing a mother that is really going with the natural feelings of new motherhood and letting herself be free but that those feelings don’t have to be relegated to a bygone time.

pieceofpurplesky · 31/05/2018 22:52

Clicky link
www.google.co.uk/amp/s/m.poemhunter.com/poem-amp/woman-work/

50shadesofgreyismylaundry · 31/05/2018 22:53

Looking at the other prints on that website it's clear that the artist does similar prints of women of all colours, shapes and sizes and it isn't racist at all.

OP, maybe buy one of the other ones with a white woman and have them as a pair for context. Then people maybe won't read racist meanings into it.

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