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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
coffeecoffeemorecoffee · 31/05/2018 23:09

There's something really interesting about it, can't put my finger on what it is though...

Littlechocola · 31/05/2018 23:15

The artist paints people. Black, white, skinny, not so skinny, tall, short. She paints people.

A good artist doesn’t just paint a pretty picture, a good artist inspires discussion and debate. Marie Jørgensen has done that!

Queenoftheblitz · 31/05/2018 23:16

I see it as an african village woman reading the washing machine manual because she's never used one before. So yes i see it as racist.

Puffycat · 31/05/2018 23:17

I love it, it tells a story. It’s a lovely print

MiggeldyHiggins · 31/05/2018 23:17

I see it as an african village woman reading the washing machine manual because she's never used one before. So yes i see it as racist

No, thats you being racist, incredibly so.

Puffycat · 31/05/2018 23:20

Queenoftheblitz
Are you having a laugh?!
How the hell is that racist?
That’s your interpretation, it’s art ffs!
How do you know what she’s reading? It could be anything, Proust?

tiddliewinkiewoo · 31/05/2018 23:21

*MiggeldyHiggins Thu 31-May-18 23:17:35
I see it as an african village woman reading the washing machine manual because she's never used one before. So yes i see it as racist

No, thats you being racist, incredibly so.*

Words fail - 'african village woman'?? really??

Now THAT'S racist.

MiggeldyHiggins · 31/05/2018 23:22

I quoted the other poster and called her racist. So you're agreeing with me?

MarshaBradyo · 31/05/2018 23:22

I can only find yoga poses for the white women, not any with domestic goods ;

Are they on there?

tiddliewinkiewoo · 31/05/2018 23:23

Sorry Miggledy - bold fail - I absolutely agree with you

OrangePeels · 31/05/2018 23:23

I ran out of clothes all of the time when DD was born. I wore a dressing gown whilst washing and drying though and never had a sling. I’m white in case it matters.
I’m with you OP, nothing wrong here!

IAmNotAWitch · 31/05/2018 23:23

It is interesting how differently everyone sees it. I see one of those slightly absurd moments you end up in where each step has made sense, I.e. pop a load of washing on, chuck in what you are wearing as well (possibly because of baby leakage), baby in sling, find book on washing machine for some reason, get distracted...

Each step isn't that strange but viewed as a whole it looks weird from the outside.

The more I look at it, the more I like it.

Greatblue0wl · 31/05/2018 23:24

I don’t like the picture, for me it says bare foot and pregnant. Rather than women being strong and able to achieve things.

It’s not far away from those pictures that used say “if you sprinkle when you tinckle”

Racecardriver · 31/05/2018 23:25

Weird AF but not racist. Weird in a good way but I fi D it strangely unsettling that the washing machine is so naked. Why isnt in hide ming inside a cupboard or at least under her kitchen counter nestled between the dishwasher and the cupboards that hide the pipes from the sink?

Queenoftheblitz · 31/05/2018 23:26

That's my interpretation of the picture, my first thought and i don't like it.
I'm mixed race and not racist but probably i have a different perspective.
I don't see her as reading a book while waiting for the wash to end, it doesn"'t look like she's loaded up as there's still clothes in the basket.
Please don't tell me my perspective is wrong or i'm racist.
It is art and everyone sees something different.

Maelstrop · 31/05/2018 23:26

Have loved that a piece of art has generated this debate!

Looking at the self portrait of the pregnant lady in front of a computer monitor, I can see why some people might not like the comparison of the lady naked leaning on the machine.

It’s not a picture I would buy, but I like more of a realism style.

SandyY2K · 31/05/2018 23:26

I don't find it particularly tasteful and I can kind of see what he means.

A white person (or non black) person having that picture cab be viewed differently to a black person having it.

I say that as a black woman. If I saw that it a black friends house.... I'd think she was into that kind of natural...mother of the earth stuff.... but if a white friend had it .. I wouldn't see it the same way.

MiggeldyHiggins · 31/05/2018 23:27

Please don't tell me my perspective is wrong or i'm racist

Why not? Assuming she's african and poor and doesn;t know how to use a washing machine (even though its clearly a book) is racist.

tiddliewinkiewoo · 31/05/2018 23:30

*MarshaBradyo Thu 31-May-18 23:22:53
I can only find yoga poses for the white women, not any with domestic goods ;

Are they on there?*

The artist's self depiction of herself hung over a PC with swollen ankles and hairy legs? Maybe doing accounts? Dusting the screen and taking five? Or the absurd assumption she's chained by the ankles to the PC doing 'wife work' and being white equates to her being like those in past years being in the workhouse. Hmm Because she couldn't possibly just be chilling for five no?

Queenoftheblitz · 31/05/2018 23:30

No I'm saying the artist is presuming she is african and poor without access to a washing machine. That is what I find racist.

MarshaBradyo · 31/05/2018 23:31

Oh yes saw that one, wondered if I was missing more

Singingtherapy · 31/05/2018 23:32

I like it. And it's certainly a great picture for generating debate and challenging stereotypes. Maybe, just maybe ... she's a highly successful actress. She's a millionaire and lives in a huge house. She's naked because that's just how quirky she is. While her baby's sleeping she's taking the opportunity to read through a new movie script.

Lacucuracha · 31/05/2018 23:32

Just looks like more inappropriate imagery from the Danes to me.

I agree with Gwen, the baby wearing style is obviously African. It's playing to the stereotypes of an underdressed African woman carrying a baby on her back.

It might be trying to challenge our preconceptions of black women but instead it just looks like the artist enjoys the dichotomy between traditional African woman and Western convenience.

In a world where 50℅ of the world don't have toilets let alone washing machines or laundry rooms, I struggle to feel a sense of peace at this message.

This seems to be Western indulgement.

TimeToDash · 31/05/2018 23:32

Not so much racist but pretty sexist and very dated, in my opinion.

Original poster
NC4T · 31/05/2018 23:33

What makes you think the artist is painting a poor woman? That's your perception of what she's painted.

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