Existential Threat
Artist
Steve Murakishi
(American, born 1949)
Date2021
MediumScreenprint on paper
DimensionsImage: 15 7/16 × 22 3/8 inches (39.21 × 56.83 cm)
Sheet: 22 3/8 × 30 inches (56.83 × 76.2 cm)
Sheet: 22 3/8 × 30 inches (56.83 × 76.2 cm)
Credit LineGift of Hugh J. Merrill, Emmett Merrill, and Rebecca Merrill
Object number2022.28.2
SignedArtist's signature and "2020" at lower margin, right in graphite pencil.
Inscribed"Existential Threat" at lower margin, center in graphite pencil.
MarkingsRives watermark (RIVES, infinity mark and “FRANCE”) in the lower right corner, verso.
Edition/State/Proofed 1/4
On View
Not on viewCollections
DescriptionThis horizontally oriented screen print on paper is divided into two equal sections. At the left-hand side of the sheet is a reproduction in red and black of a photograph of a half-length portrait of Henry David Thoreau in a white shirt and dark jacket. The man in the photograph is identified as such with white, lower-case text overlaying the image that also include the philosopher/naturalist/essayist’s life dates (1817–1862) as well as his age at the time of his death (age 44). At the right-hand side of the sheet is a reproduction in yellow and black of a close-up photograph of George Perry Floyd posed against a brick wall that became ubiquitous during the Black Lives Matter protests that commenced following his murder at the hands of police. Floyd, shown from the shoulders up, is likewise identified by his name in white, lower-case text written across the lower portion of the image. Also included are his life dates (1973–2020) and age when he died (age 46). The words that make up the print’s title, “existential threat,” span both images with “existential” running in lowercase white letters across the top of Thoreau’s image and “threat” appearing in lowercase white letters across the top of Floyd’s image.ProvenancePurchased from the artist, 2021;
Hugh Merrill and family’s gift to The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, 2022.
Copyright© Steve Murakishi
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