Carrie Mae Weems is a renowned American artist known for her thought-provoking and powerful works, particularly in the medium of photography. Born in Portland, Oregon in 1953, Weems has been using her art to explore issues of race, gender, and identity for over four decades. She has received numerous awards and accolades for her work, including a MacArthur "Genius" Grant in 2013.Carrie Mae Weems
The Kitchen Table Series is one of Weems' most well-known and influential bodies of work. Created between 1990 and 1992, this series of photographs captures intimate moments of African American women and their domestic lives. The images are set at a kitchen table, a space that holds significant cultural and social significance in African American households.Kitchen Table Series
One might wonder what the rap group Migos has to do with Carrie Mae Weems and her Kitchen Table Series. However, in 2018, Weems collaborated with the group on the music video for their song "Stir Fry." The video features the members of Migos in various scenes inspired by Weems' work, including a recreation of her iconic kitchen table setting. The collaboration sparked conversations about the intersection of art, music, and culture.Migos
Photography has been a central medium for Weems throughout her career. She uses it to capture and convey powerful messages about social and political issues. In her Kitchen Table Series, she uses photography to explore the complexities of African American domestic life and challenge traditional representations of Black women in art.Photography
Weems' identity as an African American woman is a recurring theme in her work. She often explores the ways in which Black people have been historically misrepresented and marginalized in society. Through her art, she aims to challenge and disrupt these harmful narratives and celebrate the beauty and resilience of Black culture.African American
Issues of identity are at the forefront of Weems' work. She delves into the complexities and nuances of individual and collective identities, particularly those of marginalized communities. The Kitchen Table Series, for example, challenges the narrow and limiting representation of African American women in mainstream media and art.Identity
Weems' exploration of domestic life in the Kitchen Table Series is a powerful commentary on the ways in which women, especially Black women, are often confined to traditional gender roles and expected to perform domestic labor. The series showcases the complexities of domestic life and the strength and resilience of the women who navigate it.Domestic Life
One of the central themes in the Kitchen Table Series is gender roles. Weems challenges the societal expectations placed on women, particularly Black women, and highlights the ways in which they resist and defy these roles. The series showcases the strength and agency of these women in their everyday lives.Gender Roles
Race is a recurring theme in Weems' work, and the Kitchen Table Series is no exception. Through her photographs, Weems challenges the dominant narratives and representations of Black people in society. She highlights the complexities and diversity within the Black community and celebrates the strength and resilience of Black individuals.Race
Intersectionality is a term coined by legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw to describe the ways in which different forms of oppression, such as racism and sexism, intersect and compound each other. Weems' work, including the Kitchen Table Series, explores the intersectionality of race, gender, and other identities, shedding light on the complex and multifaceted experiences of marginalized individuals. In conclusion, Carrie Mae Weems' Kitchen Table Series is a powerful and influential body of work that explores issues of race, gender, and identity through the lens of African American domestic life. Through her collaboration with Migos, Weems sparked conversations about the intersection of art and music and the potential for collaboration and cross-pollination between different forms of creative expression. Weems' work continues to inspire and challenge viewers, highlighting the importance of representation and the power of art to spark meaningful conversations and drive social change.Intersectionality
The Power of Representation in House Design: A Look at Carrie Mae Weems' Kitchen Table and Migos

Exploring Identity and Culture through House Design
