smells i see
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identity theft: unlocked

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Assemblage: Deconstructed aṣọ òkè Ghanian cotton garment, iron, steel and brass keys (cut and blanks), oak wood, acrylic paint, embroidery thread, iron chain, locks, wood beads, leather
H 48” x W 48” x D 3”
(2017)

Symbols and Symbolism
Dates: 1867 – 2017 Alabama State University 150th year anniversary
Deconstructed Cotton Garment known as “Fugu” (Foo-Goo): Also known as Batakari or an African “smock”; this hand woven cotton garment from Ghana, connects Africa to America. Ghana, a nation on the west coast of Africa devastated by the slave trade. Incidentally, cotton was a primary crop associated with slave labor.
9 Keys Around Collar: Marion Nine (A.S.U. founders)
150 Total Keys (includes 9): Alabama State University’s 150th year anniversary
Keys: Freedom, Knowledge, Access; opening and closing power
Skeleton Keys (blanks and cut): Access to more than one lock, Ancestors
Locks: Exclusion, Imprisonment, Security
Inscriptions on Locks - American Symbolisms: US, American, Eagle, MADE IN U.S.A.
Old Gold and Black Thread: Alabama State University’s school colors
Chain: Restraint, Imprisonment, Bondage
Broken Chain: Freedom, Liberation, Expression, Individualism
Oak Wood: Strength, Endurance, Wisdom. One of many woods used to construct slave ships as well as early schools and school furniture. The oak board was part of a southern courthouse record room table used to hold record books, which held recordings of property documents, including chattel slave records.
 
These symbols and symbolisms are only a few of the many incorporated in this artwork. The viewer may find additional or different meanings based upon their history and individual experiences they bring to this work of art.
 

© F. Geoffrey Johnson, 2011-2022. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, copying, distribution or recording of images, information or writings on this website without the express written permission of F. Geoffrey Johnson is prohibited. If copyrighted material on this website is found to be infringed upon, we will prosecute to the full extent of the law.
  • Home
  • Bio / CV
    • F. Geoffrey Johnson's Artist CV
    • F. Geoffrey Johnson's CV Addendum
    • Poetry Bio
    • Fine Art Bio
    • Artist Statement
  • Art Gallery
    • Confluence Exhibition New Works (2022) >
      • identity theft: erasure (2022)
      • identity theft: i.d. bracelets-no i.d.
      • mend
      • writing about trees is difficult
      • gone fishin'
      • identity theft: rice bearers (2022)
      • blanket statement
    • series: identity theft (2017-2022) >
      • identity theft: erasure (2018)
      • identity theft: i.d. bracelets-no i.d.
      • identity theft: washington
      • identity theft: jefferson
      • identity theft: johnson
      • identity theft: scars
      • identity theft: rice bearers (2021)
      • identity theft: unlocked
    • series: environment: capped >
      • seabird nest
      • wild bird food: special mix
      • disappearing B's
      • bottlenose dolphin
    • series: confined (2017-2022) >
      • confined: NOW
      • confined: requiem for katrina
      • confined: c miners
      • confined: history re-mixed
      • confined: tears
    • Otis College Residency: 2018 >
      • identity theft: erasure
      • black +
      • seabird nest
      • orange is new black
      • taglines
    • Repurposed Objects: 2013-2019 >
      • america take a knee 4 me
      • stick a fork in it, it's done!
      • chain master
      • planting seeds
      • crippling crutches
      • Lotus: Out of Focus
      • Furious Flowers: Birmingham '63
    • Re-purposed Objects: 2010-2012 >
      • Sleepless in Rwanda
      • Screwed
      • Nigeria: Soiled, Soaked & Silent
      • currents (diptych)
      • Tobacco Road
      • Sole Soldier
      • Domino Effect / Foreign Policy
      • Mapping: Between the Lines-Redlining-Bluelining
    • Visual Poetry >
      • windows
      • Furious Flowers: Birmingham '63
      • stick a fork in it, it's done!
      • confined: history re-mixed: an uncivil guide
      • crippling crutches
      • gaza math
      • Sleepless in Rwanda
    • Gallery: Abstract Paintings >
      • Elements
      • Giants of Jazz
      • Green Mountain
      • Liberty
      • Shadows
    • Gallery: Representational Paintings 2008-2010 >
      • Furious Flowers
      • Freedom's Call
      • The Gathering
      • Marooned
      • Unspoken
    • Gallery: Representational Paintings 2006-2007 >
      • A Cry for Peace
      • Contemplation
      • Chains
      • Crossroads
      • Spirit Dancer
      • Hope
      • Tanzanian Waterfall
      • Quiet Storm
    • Furniture >
      • Redwood Clocks >
        • "Aladdin Lamp" Redwood Burl Clock
        • "Buffalo" Redwood Burl Clock
        • "Firebird" Redwood Burl Clock
        • "Fire" Pendulum Clock
        • "Pterodactyl" Pendulum Clock
      • Redwood Tables
  • Poetry Gallery
    • eight years
    • a note to hip hop
    • gaza math
    • word
    • Hate the Game
    • Outside the Box
    • Art of War
    • Changing Times
    • Missing Pictures
    • Extinction
    • i know Haiti
    • who am i
    • words for sale
    • A Conversation in Poem
  • Residencies
    • Otis College of Art and Design L. A. Summer Residency 2018 (video) >
      • identity theft: erasure
      • black +
      • seabird nest
      • orange is new black
      • taglines
      • @ Work L. A. Summer Residency 2018
    • Caversham >
      • About Residency
      • Residency Video (2009)
      • A Conversation in Poem
  • Books
  • Fine Art Reproductions
    • History Re-Mixed
    • Hate the Game
  • Original Art Purchase
  • News / Events
    • Current/Future/Past Events
  • Photo Gallery
  • MY LIBRARY: Art Reviews, Books, Catalogues, Pamphlets, Ephemera
    • Elevate: Art Above Underground
    • The Dream Continues...
    • A Long Time Comin'...
    • 9.5 Theses on Art & Class
  • Contact
  • Browser Instructions