T H E R E C O N C I L I A T I O N
2024-CURRENT
Artist Statement:
The Reconciliation is centered around the culinary traditions that have been the foundation of the Black family and, at times, our survival. In this series, I honor the meals that have nourished us and reclaim foods often distorted by stereotypes, sabotage, shame, and racism. This series invites us to return to the table and to keep the tradition of family dinners alive, where stories are shared, wisdom is passed down, and our connections are strengthened.
Food has always played a major role in the lives of Black people, serving not only as nourishment but as a means of preservation. At the same time, racist caricatures and misconceptions have long been used to reduce the richness of our histories, often placing them in a negative light and, at times, giving credit where credit is not due. This series looks closer at those truths.
Working on The Reconciliation has been a process of learning, reflection, and honoring. The work and dedication of Black scholars, historians, chefs, authors, and others who have committed themselves to preserving our foodways made it possible for me to look more deeply.
Speaking with family and close friends about food and tradition to also inform this series, I have been reminded that it’s often during holidays and over shared meals that we often feel most connected to one another. At the same time, I’ve come to realize that many of us, including myself, have inherited these traditions or known of certain stereotypes without always knowing where they came from. This work is shaped by all of it, and these meals hold more than ingredients; they hold memory.
PHOTO GALLERY COMING SOON
Audio Interviews:
Throughout the development of “The Reconciliation,” the artist dedicated significant time to drawing from both personal experiences and extensive inquiry beyond her immediate circle of family and friends. This research informed the selection and presentation of foods in the work.
Below, hear select reflections from the artist’s family members and friends about the foods presented in “The Reconciliation.”
Mattie Dupree, the Artist’s Aunt, Describes How Tawny's Father "Rudy" Prepared His Chitlins.
Gail Marie Grady, the Artist’s Cousin, Reflects on How Her Family Made Chitlins
Dr. Tina Whitfield, the Artist’s Cousin, Reflects on How She and Her Family Make Chitlins
Dr. Tina Whitfield, the Artist’s Cousin, Reflects on Her Childhood Running Through the Watermelon Patch
Elijah Jones, the Artist’s Uncle, Reflects on His Grandfather Selling Watermelon in The City
Sandra Clayton, the Artist’s Cousin, Reflects on Her Family Growing Watermelon and Sharing With Family and Friends
Joyce Marie Alston, the Artist’s Cousin, Reflects on Her Grandmother Making Buttermilk Biscuits
Dr. Tina Whitfield, the Artist’s Cousin, Reflects on Remembering the Special Ingredient That Was Missing From Her Buttermilk Biscuits
Pearline Muckelvene, the Artist’s Mother, Speaks About the Smell and Taste of Her Mother’s Biscuits