Silhouette, Caricature, and Antebellum Fantasy

Walker enlarged the genteel craft of cut-paper portrait silhouettes into room-sized scenes of plantation violence, sexuality, and domination. Flat black figures appear elegant at first glance while their actions destabilize that visual pleasure.

The silhouettes deny facial detail and rely on coded outlines, forcing stereotypes to carry narrative. Viewers must confront how readily they recognize those inherited signs.