In the art exhibit Tales of a Conjure Woman the artist Renee Stout tries to depict black women who are in fact changing their realities. When I say changing their realities I mean that it is through the use of potions and remedies that they can take control of their own destinies and change the things within their life that they want to change. Though the artwork and the exhibit give off a spooky vibe it still draws the attention of the eye. The characters within the artwork seem to be very appealing and almost feel as if they want you to part-take in the rituals and lifestyle that they are accustomed to.
I felt that that this exhibit showed lots of stereotypes that are displayed within the African American community. Often time’s people saw black women as conjure women because they could come up with a concoction that could just about get rid of anything. These women in their communities were often known as healers and medicine women, and were wise way beyond their years. Blacks often times came to them for help when in need. Others saw them as witches and evil doers. Yet, I saw that the artist wasn’t necessarily trying to put these stereotypes on the fore front, but rather break the stereotype by allowing the viewer a glimpse into their world. These women were normally viewed through a veil. They knew who they were and others on the outside speculated and created them to be something that they were not.
Many of these women were not being evil but were rather continuing a tradition long held from Africa. Being that blacks were all about Africa it made sense for these women to want to keep their traditions of medicine that they had learned so long ago from their ancestors. These women were finding comfort for themselves and others in the medicine that they were creating. This ability to find comfort allowed for them to escape their realities. This conjuring empowered the women.
This sense of black empowerment to me is considered as profound. That is probably why Renee Stout draws herself with a large afro showing that these women are empowered by their roots. Hence all the roots and vines that seems to be in each jar. The way the artist put this piece together has a way of speaking to the struggle of black women because all these women don’t seem to be rich or have much in their possession, but yet they seem more alive and more confident in their skills. Considering the way that the women were being depicted within the paintings and pictures, the women almost seem to be unvirtuous women because they are conjure women. The exotic nature of them plays a part in the women as not being mundane. The portrayal of them as conjure women makes them look erotic, exotic, unvirtuous, and unclean. Thoughts of this intrigue the audience and contribute to the African American art because it shows how black women are viewed even today because it was done in a modern setting. Her artwork is attempting to let down the veil and break the stereotype by allowing others to take a look because not once do you ever see a potion that is to kill a person’s husband. All are for the good of others and their love lives.
This exhibit was a really neat experience and I’m glad we got to experience it. You make a great point about how conjuring empowers women. I know I could feel Fatima’s, and thus Renee’s, strength and confidence in her work. Her sense of self was very present throughout the exhibit and it was vibrant and alive in a way I’ve never experienced through art before.
I am so glad you wrote about this exhibit as well. I found it to be so powerful and beautiful. It is incredible, the way Reneé Stout conveys through her artwork the idea that Hoodoo and conjuring can be used in a positive manner. In my experience of the exhibit, I noticed a lot of hearts, not only the one encaged (so amazing!), but in the paintings as well. Have you ever seen the movie “The Skeleton Key”? I highly recommend it; especially if you find yourself intrigued by the mystery and empowerment of Hoodoo.
I’ve seen the movie! it is amazing.
Interesting note of how Reneé Stout uses her art to break stereotypes by embracing the ancestral identity. The exotic/erotic notion of blackness was typically seen as a folly of colonialism. So would the “exotic” be transformed from an otherness to a solidarity just because it is done in a modern setting? Also showing how the “conjure women” do not participate in a violent hoodoo ritual would have the effect of nulling that stereotype. The short film in the Halsey exhibit was good as well if you haven’t viewed it yet.
if I am understanding this right you are saying is the exotic being changed into a norm? I think she is breaking the thought of having to call it exotic period. it is only exotic if one doesn’t understand it. I think that her artwork allowed for blacks to stop being looked at as exotic by being let into the hoodoo world to see what these women do best. If we don’t know how each person brushes their teeth does that make them exotic? No we just simply assume that they brush their teeth like everyone else. We don’t feel the need to call them exotic. We don’t call white witches exotic. So why should we call black witches exotic. They all do the same thing and they all practice magic. They should all be considered the same way not as one being a witch and another being an exotic witch.