Having explored the role of "Black Mother" as a means to promote cultural understanding, my work has recently shifted focus towards a discussion of perceptions of race. Push 2001 demonstrates how racial perceptions and fear inadvertently affect blacks and the communities in which they live. Typically, black communities are pushed or re-located to the outskirts of the larger population. Halifax's North End and Gottingen Street area exemplify this tendency. It is common to hear this area referred to as "the hood," a term which carries with it implications of a drug infested, gang land, high crime area. Ironically, choosing to live in Halifax's North end is primarily decided by one's economic means. You do not expect to be viewed as a potentially dangerous criminal but, when "outsiders" come to the area, eye contact is minimal. Many choose to give you a wide berth as they pass you on the sidewalk. Most often, you are simply forced to step out of the visitor's way, as if you don't exist, as if this is not your home.

I have also, through my new work, come to the belief that true cultural understanding can only be accomplished through lived experience. Visual Reality #1 and #2 moves the viewer from one racial position to another. Wearing the white glasses allows the viewer to barely distinguish dark objects thus evoking the popular middle class belief that racism in Canada is not a significant problem. When your world encompasses many who are just like you and you have very little contact with the "other" it is almost understandable why many whites believe this to be true. Looking through the black glasses, your world becomes a very different place. Objects move in and out of shadow. You become wary as not all is revealed. This is the silent and destructive nature of racism. In other words, you will only understand me if you walk a mile in my shoes.

Chrystal Clements holds a BFA from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and is an Associate of the College in Graphic Design. She also studied at the Canberra Institute of the Arts in Australia. She has exhibited her work in several group exhibitions, notably Black Women in the Visual Arts at YYZ Artist's Outlet, Toronto (1997), In This Place at the Anna Leonowens Gallery, Halifax (1998, regionally touring), Generations and Feminisms, SAW Gallery, Ottawa (1999), Sister Visions III: Through Our Eyes, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia (2000), Home: The Art of Preston, Dalhousie Art Gallery (2000). In 1999 she held a solo exhibition Home is where the heart is at the Dalhousie Art Gallery. Most recently, Clements has co-curated exhibitions at Mount Saint Vincent University Art Gallery, including Do Try This Home and Portraits: Unsettled Subjects (both 2001).

wood paneling, stain, oil with carved text

39.4 x 121.9cm

On the Street 2001

acrylic, liquid rust on canvas

91.4 x 121.9cm

glasses, acrylic, pine (with engraved metal plaque)

17.8 x 17.8 x 5.1cm

glasses, acrylic, pine (with engraved metal plaque)

17.8 x 17.8 x 5.1cm