Ethnic Identity in Postmodern Art

             1.5) Problem Statement .
             The problem that this study directs is concerned with role of ethnic identity in Postmodern artists Betye Saar's The Liberation of Aunt Jamaima and Amadou Makhtar Mbaye's Coronation of Musaa Moolo Casamace, Southern Senegal. .
             1.6) Research Questions.
             Considering the problem statement, the following questions can be deducted: .
             1) How do these postmodernist artists interpret and represent ethnicity? .
             2) What role does ethnic identity play in the respective artist's work?.
             1.7) Goal Statement.
             The aim of this research paper is to determine the role of ethnic identity in the respective works of Postmodern artists' Betye Saar and Amadou Makhtar Mbaye which will be analysed to find elements that support or symbolize ethnic identity.
             1.8) Central Theoretical Statement .
             The colonial setting had considerable influence on both artists' interpretation of ethnical identities, seeing as both the artists live in a world overshadowed by western societal ideals and expectations. Both artists use found objects and a distinctively "primitive" style to represent their roots and thus their ethnicity. They also use theme and execution to communicate ethnicity. In Coronation of Musaa Moolo Casamace, Southern Senegal the idea of the wise men feature, something definitely introduced by the French colonies in Dakar. The Liberation of Aunt Jamaima links to the artist's experience of post-colonialism in every sense, the work would not have been created if not for the oppression of the African American.
             1.9) Methodological Framework.
             The analysis of the two artworks will be executed in the following steps: First, the theme of the works will be analysed. Next, the ideas that influenced the work will be looked into, the influence it has on the work will also be attended to. The third step includes the comparison of the pieces and the method of depiction will also be touched upon. The role ethnic identity play in the works will also be determined here.