Kira McLennon

My work centres on the issues of systemic racism and prejudices in today’s society. The Black Lives Matter movement was the driving force of inspiration behind my work and inspired me to develop new and interesting ways of presenting the subject matter. Coming from a mixed household, I hold these issues very near to my heart and having the space and resources to explore them and educate myself has been the highlight of this project. My aim was to portray an honest and inspiring display of works that confronts the issue of police brutality through the exploration of protest art. My artist research mainly consisted of black and British artists who have dedicated their practice to storytelling through mixed media, colour and poetry. Such as Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, Shaquille Aaron-Keith and Sir Frank Bowling. My research has taught me to take risks and the benefits of stepping out of my comfort zone. I am also learning to take the pressure off of producing the ‘perfect’ outcome and instead, to enjoy the process of making and any lessons I might learn on the way.

A new process I explored in the project was cyanotype, which was refined for my 90x90cm wall hanging titled‘Say Their Names’, featuring 9 portraits of black men and women killed by police in the US. I felt it necessary to create this piece to show that these are normal people who tragically lost their lives at the hands of a system that should protect them. Its simplicity was also intentional as a way of honouring the victims of the issue and removing the focus off the complexity of the subject.

My final piece, ‘Protect Black Lives’ is a mixed-media painting on a wood panel incorporating processes including screen printing, lino printing, dyeing, paint dripping and acetone print. I wanted it to reflect the signs as seen in many of the BLM protests throughout 2020 which sparked the idea of screwing a wooden stick rendered in cardboard into the piece to function as a handle. I am proud of the outcome of the piece, in particular the juxtaposition of the subject matter and colour pallet. My work exists to challenge the ways in which we present ‘political’ issues. I want my work to be seen as thought-provoking as opposed to melancholy, to inspire hope and change in this generation.