Hank Willis Thomas
Hank Willis Thomas is a conceptual artist who uses photography to explore themes of identity, commodity, media, and popular culture. This piece was part of a series which critiqued the exploitation of black athletes by likening them to slaves forced to work on cotton plantations. From Cain’t See in the Mornin’ til Cain’t See at Night was created seven years ago, but would likely be read by today’s visitor as a statement related to the current NFL/Kaepernick issues.
Public Enemy (Black and Gold I), below, is a reverse photographic image. That means the image is not revealed until it is under a bright light.
ABOVE IMAGES: Hank Willis Thomas (b. 1976), From Cain’t See in the Mornin’ til Cain’t See at Night, 2011 Digital c-print, edition M3 of 5, with 1 artist proof. Museum purchase, 2019.2
