linocut print; 10×8”
“Strings of Decline is a piece that represents African Americans in the world. I wanted to say that we are continuing to be held back in the things that we do because of Racism. My print shows a person with puppet strings, and on the marionette, written “Racism”. African Americans are still experiencing racism and the puppet strings represent that we are controlled by all the racism in the world today. In the print, the person is sad and is trying to move, but the puppet strings are controlling him. In society today, this unfortunately still occurs. African Americans are trying to move forward, but are hit with stereotypes, discrimination, and systemic barriers that limit opportunities and reinforce unequal treatment, making progress harder despite ongoing efforts to achieve equality and freedom.”
ARTIST BIO: Braxton AUSTIN is a grade 11 student at Summit Country Day School studying art under art teacher Carrie Barnett.