Black Lives Matter
Andrew Cohen (Derwood, MD)
Photographic Print, 24” W x 20” H
Artwork:
Following violent conflicts between protesters and government forces in response to the murder of George Floyd, on June 5, 2020, the D.C. Department of Public Works painted the words ""Black Lives Matter"" in 35-foot-tall yellow capital letters on 16th Street NW on the north of Lafayette Square, part of President's Park near the White House. On the same date, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that part of the street outside of the White House had been officially renamed to Black Lives Matter Plaza. Almost 5 years later, under pressure from Congress and a new administration, the same mayor ordered the mural destroyed. This image captures a moment in the process, which necessitated removing the painted cobblestones and their bedding.
Artist Statement:
I have been making photographs for over 40 years, beginning with “straight photography,” an approach that emphasizes clarity and unembellished representation. This discipline shaped my work in archaeology and foreign affairs. Now as a fine artist, my practice still includes documentary and street photography.
The works proposed for this exhibition explore the changing character of Washington, DC in 2025, as individuals and the district respond to the new administration's declaration to restore the glory of the capital and the nation.