Abstract
For centuries the Devil has been depicted as a dark creature that lurks on earth, tempting humans with sin. Depictions of the Devil have varied over time but the most prominent feature lingering is the Devil’s iconic small horns. The distinctive motif of devil horns can be seen in multiple sculptures by folk artist Sulton Rogers. The research conducted includes taking a closer look into Roger’s curious wooden figures and what their violence and crudeness may represent. Not much is known about Sulton Roger’s life and work and this investigation of his figurines is original research which focuses on his pieces Two-faced Man and Two-faced Woman, which reside at the Asheville Art Museum. As he is a black artist, why might Rogers feel the need to so frequently implement iconography linked to the Devil in his work? Further, this research looks into Rogers’ possible representation of black figures as the Devil. The research conducted also delves into the history of creating icons that demonize and stigmatize the black body and how these ideas have informed stereotypes that we see today, specifically in Roger’s work.
How to Cite
Marin, L., (2022) “Sulton Rogers: The Demonization of Black Bodies”, Capstone, The UNC Asheville Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship 35(1).
7
Views
2
Downloads