Her sculpture was defaced: Tschabalala Self
Seated (2022) was spray painted white by vandals in England.
The artist, who lives in the US, said the action was a sign of misogyny and racism prevalent in Europe and elsewhere. Seated (2022) was first shown near King's Cross in London last year. It is currently on display at the De la Warr Pavilion in Bexhill-on-Sea, a coastal East Sussex town. After it was damaged on May 15, the people of Bexhill-on-Sea worked together to clean and restore it. More than 200 people helped the initiative. The De la Warr Pavilion made the damage public and said it plans to exhibit the work by the end of October when its work should end.
Tschabalala Self (born 1990) is an American artist best known for her depictions of Black female figures using paint, fabric, and discarded pieces of her previous works. Though she uses mixed media, all of her works are on canvas and employ a "painting language." Inspired by works done by an African-American artist, Romare Bearden, Tschabalala Self creates collages of various items that she has collected over time and sews them together to depict Black female bodies that "defy the narrow spaces in which they are forced to exist", which she derives from the history behind the African-American struggle and oppression in society.
"While I'm sad, I'm not surprised because I'm black and female, and especially because black women's bodies are often abused," Self said in a statement.
“Seated proudly reflects the beauty of both being black and being a woman, so she was hurt. The aggressor spray-painted her white to hide her color and I think her strength. Many people have found happiness in Seated and will be restored with the help of the community.”
Self reclaims the Black female body and portrays them to be free of stereotypes without having to fear being punished. Her goal is to "create alternative narratives around the Black body." Much of Self's work uses elements from Black culture to construct quilt-like portraits.
I hope that the damage done to the statue will draw attention to the problems experienced. It's disgusting to paint the skin of my statue white, and I feel sorry for anyone in Bexhill-on-Sea who might have been shocked or frightened by it."
Seated will be on display again in Bexhill-on-Sea from 3 June after being repaired.