KARA WALKER: A LEXICON

A book detailing symbolism in the cut paper murals of Kara Walker

Kara Walker: A Lexicon, is a publication designed to accompany text by Yasil Raymond. The text analyzes Kara Walker’s cut paper murals for symbolism and what each symbol represents. Kara Walker’s murals often depict grotesque scenes of civil war era America and the racial violence that is often pacified for white consumption. Because of this, It was very important to keep the supporting designs quiet so Walker’s message in her artwork could be front and center. In her work, Walker uses life size silhouettes of cut paper that are whey pasted on to gallery walls. The scale allows the viewer to be completely surrounded by the scene so they feel as if they are another figure in the mural. To embody this feeling, a tall format was chosen so the book could fully envelope the reader as they lifted it to their eyes. This publication, like Walker’s work, is done exclusively in grayscale. As you read each chapter, the pages turn from white to grey to black and displays figures that guide you through almost like an extremely graphic adult story book.