HUMAN RIGHTS
© Ernesto Beckford, Chadds Ford PA (2021-2025)
Saints and Immigrants.The collage depicts angels as immigrants huddling against a border fence, separated from their destination. The colors are reminiscent of church alter paintings, yet the scene is lifted from contemporary history. Just like the immigrants and refugees today, these young angels are desperately trying to break free. Yet the fence is impenetrable to them. Saints and Immigrants. Mixed media collage (paper on black canvas, with watercolor). 12 x 16 inches. Completed October 2024.
Smallpox Blankets. Native Americans in North and South America did not have immunity to many of the diseases brought by white people from Europe. American Indians were particularly vulnerable to death from smallpox. It has been recorded that in the 1700s and 1800s, white Americans purposely provided blankets to Native Americans laced with smallpox. The same occurred in South America. This collage depicts the plight of Native Americans, who lost so much during the period of colonization. The threads in the woman’s skin represent smallpox scars. The rectangular pieces, with colorful threads, represent infected blankets. The broken red feathers in her hair represent the false promises made to the Native Americans, broken and shattered. Mixed Media Collage (paper on paper, watercolor, pastels, and thread). Collage Size: 8.5x10 inches. Completed March 2024.
Red is For Radical. Red is often associated with radicalism, encompassing feelings of rage, reflection, and a desire for reform. These characteristics are usually attributed to individuals who do not conform to societal norms; to outsiders who wish to be accepted as they are. The figure depicted in this piece embodies the idea of a red radical but is softened by including a feather in their headdress -- a quill, a pen. This serves as a reminder that while taking action is essential, words are also a powerful physical force. Mightier than the sword, as they say. Handmade collage using bits and pieces of paper, string, watercolor, soft pastels and glue. Collage Size: 14x14 inches. Completed March 2024.
Fragmented Visibility. The collage depicts the struggle of individuals attempting to assert their identities amidst societal suppression. The fragmented and overlapping pieces of the face symbolize the fractured yet persistent efforts to be seen and recognized. The juxtaposition of clear and obscured elements highlights the tension between self-expression and external constraints, reflecting the contemporary challenges of navigating visibility and identity in a world that often imposes limitations and barriers. Original Collage Size: 9.5 x 13.25 inches. Completed January 2024.
Macho Androgyny. The collage explores the intersection of gender identity and human rights by challenging traditional gender roles. It highlights the right to self-expression and personal identity beyond binary norms, advocating for the freedom to blend masculine and androgynous traits without societal constraints. This visual representation calls for the recognition and protection of gender diversity as a fundamental human right. Mixed media collage (paper on paper, watercolor and pastels). 18.75 x 11.75 inches. Completed 2024.