Karen Schupack

Exploring Systemic Inequality

I continue to explore quantitative information about systemic inequalities, now through oil paint and cold wax medium. This artistic process allows me to evoke layers of history and injustice, combining texture, color, and form to communicate data in a new context. Through my selection of data and development of a visual language, I provide new perspectives on systemic problems in the United States—inequalities rooted in racism and injustice embedded in our laws, regulations, and institutions.

​

Building Layers, Revealing Data

My process begins with many layers of oil paint and cold wax medium, alternating warm and cool colors, lights and darks. I texture each layer using a wide range of tools and materials. These underlying layers often contain words and drawings related to the theme of the piece, most of which are eventually concealed beneath further layers. In the final layers, the composition takes shape. I create or incise lines and shapes to communicate a particular set of data, bringing its story into view.