I have no interest in making a work that doesn't elicit a feeling. Kara Walker elicitfeltinterest Change image and share on social
The illusion is that most of my work is simply about past events: a point in history and nothing else. Kara Walker eventhistoryillusion Change image and share on social
Humor's always been the problem of my work, hasn't it? When working, I feel satisfied when I surprise myself. And when I surprise myself, I wind up laughing. Kara Walker feelhumorlaugh Change image and share on social
A lot of what I was wanting to do in my work and what I have been doing has been about the unexpected... that unexpected situation of wanting to be the heroine and yet wanting to kill the heroine at the same time. Kara Walker heroinekilllot share on social
The promise of any artwork is that it can hold us - viewer and maker - in a conflicted or contestable space, without real-world injury or loss. Kara Walker artworkconflictcontestable Change image and share on social
Sugar crystallizes something in our American soul. It is emblematic of all industrial processes. And of the idea of becoming white. White being equated with pure and 'true': it takes a lot of energy to turn brown things into white things. A lot of pressure. Kara Walker americanbrowncrystallize share on social
I knew I wanted to be an artist, but I didn't really know what it was I wanted to say. Kara Walker artistknowwant Change image and share on social
As a child, I was subjected to a lot of spaghetti Westerns and hated them. I wanted the Indians to win - or just not be so sad! Kara Walker childhateindian Change image and share on social
I trust my hand. If I go into a space with a roll of paper, I can make a work, some kind of work, and feel pretty satisfied. Kara Walker feelhandkind Change image and share on social
I've seen people glaze over when they're confronted with racism, and there's nothing more, you know, damning and demeaning to having any kind of ideology than people just walking the walk and saying what they're supposed to say and nodding, and nobody feels anything. Kara Walker confrontdamndemean share on social