"TRAIL OF TEARS"
This week's challenge at http://frillyandfunkie.blogspot.com is Stencil Mania... a challenge to use 3 stencils to create a journal page. My journal page is based on the "Trail of Tears".
Procedure: multiple layers of tries and failed attempts of acrylics and collage, covered with pink and blue acrylic paint, sequin waste, diamond-shaped stencils, number stencils, and dot stencils applied and wiped off with a baby wipe. My image represents what I envision as a member of the Choctaw tribe, black and white print, embellished with paint pens, alcohol markers, and pastels. I also collaged US maps as a way to bring more light to the piece.
His image brought me to a more in-depth look at the history of The Trail of Tears. The term, Trail of Tears invokes the collective suffering of the Cherokee, Creek, Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Seminole Indians. The Choctaw were the first Indians to become the victims of the Indian Removal Act with the signing of "The Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek" in 1830. They gave up 11 million acres of prime agricultural land that had been cleared and was highly coveted by outsiders. The Cherokee fought the judicial system but finally lost their attempts. At that point, New president Martin Van Buren ordered 16,000 Cherokees to be rounded up and put into holding camps. Any that tried to escape were shot, while others suffered from disease and sexual assault from guards. It is estimated as many as 100,000 tribal people were forced from their homes and as many as 20,000 men, women and children perished. In recent years, prominent political figures in the United States have finally begun to acknowledge the Native American genocide and how many Native Americans were killed.
8 comments:
This is my own personal comment.
What a BEAUTIFUL tribute to a people who deserve much more retribution than we can now give them. “Manifest Destiny” was another way of saying “it’s all mine,” and we never think of lowering our ancestors to the same level as Hitler, yet… there we are. NONE are good- not one. We all bleed the same color CHRIST did. If you ever watch “The Twilight Zone” old series of the 60s; the episode titled “The Shelter” teaches a deeper lesson than fright: people think it’s ok to take whatever they need from others.
We have part of that Trail of Tears just down our own road. We made sure both our Sons knew the truth of how we came to “own” this house & the land surrounding us. The LORD will Judge all one day.
This is a stunningly BEAUTIFUL work of art that tells more of its story as you search the colors & use of stencils. Such an honor to have this entered over on The Funkie Junkie Boutique Challenge Blog!!
Stunning! Such a thoughtful post. Love all the colors and textures you added. Thanks for joining in the challenge at The Funkie Junkie Boutique.
You did a fantastic job incorporating 3 stencils on your journal page! And I love how you used the maps too. Your focal image is awesome too. :) Thank you for sharing about the Cherokee and other Native Americans.
This is fabulous! Love the way you used the stencils and your main image is outstanding! Thanks for joining in the challenge at The Funkie Junkie Boutique.
I love this journal page! Thank you for sharing it with us at the Funkie Junkie challenge. =)
Your artwork is beautiful.
It is shameful what was done to the people who lived in this country on this land before Europeans came and took it all for their own.
What a feast for the eyes. Bravo.
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