SEEN 104

THE TRACY PIPER

SEEN 104, 2022
Acrylic on Canvas
10 x 10 x 1.5 in

Signed on Back

Model: Sierra Mitchell

ABOUT THE WORK

This work is part of The Tracy Piper's "SEEN," a collaborative art project of 50 eye paintings that were made during the month of October. For this series, the artist organized an open call for her collectors, fans, and fellow artists to be featured as one of her models. Each participant answered the same question: What does it mean to feel seen? Each painting and response is featured in the artist’s second book aptly titled “SEEN”.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FEEL SEEN?

"I am a queer black woman. Those three words are often demonized through the public scope. Queer led to being ostracized from parts of my family. Queer means letting go of my partner’s hand in neighborhoods that are to dangerous to depict our love, in fear of retaliation. It is an often imbalanced combination of comfort and overindulgence; substance use and substance abuse; community and chisme; inclusivity and judgment.

Black - associated with an attitude problem and tokenization from my non-POC “community,” and yes, the quotation marks are intended. Black means being followed in any store I enter. Black means not gaining credit for my creativity and intelligence. Black also equals deep roots that lead to strong trees, trees that can weather the most difficult storms. Trees that soak in the light from the sun. Trees that produce sweet fruit, that are grounding. Black is joy, accompanied by a pain that has transcended through generations.

Woman - don’t even get me started on the pain of not only being told what my body is and isn’t allowed to do by the government comprised mostly of old white men, but also the pain of the physical and emotional scars of the countless assault and abuse this body has faced… the assumption, as many ignorant people have felt the need to explain to ME, that MY body is fertile- wide hips made perfect for bearing children, when in reality, this pained body is incapable of housing life.

Sometimes as I’m filling in my calendar with endless doctors appointments, or wiping the tears from a child I care for with the love of kin after they’ve pulled my hair; after comforting a white friend who utilizes their tears as a weapon after causing me offense; as I swallow my tongue and hold my breath because there is no space for me to cry, show weakness, offload the weight, I pause to look in the mirror and feel like if I stare long enough that mirror might just shatter into a million pieces. I carry both the eyes of an 800-year-old swamp witch and a child, taking in the world for the very first time.
"—Sierra Mitchell

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Learn more about The Tracy Piper and her vibrant figurative paintings.

HANGING & CARE

Artwork is ready to hang on the wall; hanging wire is secured on the back (nail and hook needed). Dust raw canvas with a clean, soft brush and HEPA-filtered vacuum to clean. Using a new, clean brush prevents transfer of grime from previous dustings.

PURCHASE INFO

Gallery pick up, local delivery & international shipping available! Questions? Contact us