Photography Identity and Race

Roshini Kempadoo

Sweetness and Light

Kempadoo’s work ‘Sweetness and Light’ was created in 1996-7. Being a Black woman at this time, it was difficult to gain exhibition space. She therefore became one of the 1st people to hold her exhibition online.

Looking at her work, I see a hierarchy of people in relation to wealth and jobs. Looking at this particular image ‘Head People 02’, i see a wall with people standing upon it with pillars taller than themselves. The wall seems to symbolize the growth in which these women have come. With 3 layers on to it (standing on the 3rd) it seems to show that they have traveled a substantial amount to get to where they are now. However, the women shown seem to be portrayed in a ‘mug shot’ style. This, to me, shows that they are still being documented and watched. The rulers that separate each women show a mathematical measure, again, showing how far they still have to go to reach ‘the top’ of the hierarchy. This can also be measured by the pillars in which they are near. This gives a representation again of how much work they have to put in to travel such a short distance.

If this image was created by a middle aged, middle class male, this image could be completely different. It seems that society believes that if one does not fit the ‘norm’ of society, then they have to ‘aim high’ and ‘work hard’. This is measured on job, wealth, area in which a person lives etc. If this woman was a homeowner in Great Britain who's job was paid rather well, this image would have hardly any impact.

Would it show the hard work and graft this person would have gone thorough?

Would they have even had to work hard for their job?

I believe that Kempadoo’s work is somewhat inspiring to believe that anything is possible if you work hard enough. To be just handed something gives one no sense of achievement or journey. Lessons haven't been learnt.