Visiting Artist Robert Pruitt Discusses Black Identity

By: Andrew Salazar

(View a slide show of photos taken at the lecture here)

Visiting artist Robert Pruitt displayed his work to a large crowd at the Visual Arts Complex on the CU Boulder campus this past Wednesday, discussing how his pieces aim to restructure the image of African-American identity.

Pruitt’s pieces have a distinct and consistent feel to them, and it is fairly easy to recognize one. His drawings are often done on a brown background, allowing him to color people more naturally, without having to force a dark color onto a white background. “I want to avoid using art material,” said Pruitt. “I try to find paper that fits the color of people.” In addition, there is also usually a slight surprise when viewing the colors and objects of his figures. People are dressed in bright colors and patterns, to a point where there is cosmic or supernatural theme. “I grew up reading comic books,” said Pruitt. “I pull from comics and sci-fi a lot. Often with this work, I try to reflect a cosmic, 'other' space."

His figures are often presented in surprising scenarios as well. In one particular piece, Pruitt presents an African woman harvesting electronics onto a bag on her back. In another, two black youths are dressed in robes adorned with the logo for the Russian space program. “I don’t want to contribute to the BET view of black images,” said Pruitt.

Pruitt has been involved with some protesting, and understands that his message may make him to appear an activist. However, he rejected this claim at his lecture. “[The work] looks leftist-radical, but I don’t identify with that,” said Pruitt. “If you really respect what activists do, this is not the work. I don’t sleep and breath the protest work like they do.”

I asked Pruitt how he felt his work functioned in a mostly white town like Boulder, as opposed to more racially diverse areas. “I’m mainly interested in creating elbowroom for black identity. But it’s too hard to try and picture how your work functions in different areas,” said Pruitt. “I just want to get the job done.”

For more information on artist Robert Pruitt and his work, visit www.robert-pruitt.com.

Contact Boulder4Free staff writer Andrew Salazar at: Andrew.Salazar@colorado.edu