9/7 Object of Affection – Sonja Clark

Sonja Clark’s Afro-Carribean heritage may already serve pointers to her recurring materials used in her work. Her widely known use of human combs, hair and commonly held items such as pennies draw hints of African Lifestyle– the above image’s penny structure signals ideas of what it means to live as a Black person in America. Pennies are cold, thrown and commonly held on a day to day basis– as a standalone item they hold very little value, and yet it’s something my grandma tells me to collect in a piggy bank until I have enough to cash in at a bank. In less wealthy cultures a few pennies can make or break someone’s meal. The shoes are nothing special, but mirror that of what my grandma would wear to Church, something she’d always make and wrangle time for no matter how high the bills got. It was her main drive for getting through an otherwise gruesome week, working multiple jobs from 9 to before midnight on a good day. Clark’s work immediately enables me to remember those aspects of my life, and how proudly poverty resides within black culture.

1. What object did they replicate? What does this object make you think of? Why?
   1. The above image replicates dress shoes worn for formal events. It reminds me of shoes dedicated for Sunday Church meetings.
2. Why do you think this object was chosen by the artist to replicate? What might the object mean to the artist?
   1. The shoes themselves may be dedicated to shoes that aren’t wealthy or branded by any means, but absolutely get the job done, in which my grandma and a lot of black women wore and made do with. Having pennies as a material solidifies this concept.
3. What material was used to make or cover the object? What descriptive words can you attach to the material?
   1. Having pennies as a main material solidifies the overbearing power poverty holds on black culture, it’s overbearing weight sitting over people who can barely afford this type of shoe.
4. How does the combination of object and material create a new meaning for you?
   1. Clark’s work immediately enables me to remember small aspects of my family life, the common routine and lifestyle for living as a Black person in America, and how proudly poverty resides within black culture.