Q. These African-American artists (Hank Willis Thomas and Glenn Ligon) deal with issues of black identity. What do you think is similar about their approach?

A. Both artists are putting modern twists on historical references to black identity. In the case of Hank Willis Thomas, above, he is working with the ancient, tribal tradition of scarification (a rite of passage). In this modern portrait, he uses the Nike logo as the scar. By re-contextualizing this famous symbol, he is commenting on the “branding” of black males and the ubiquitous illusionary attachment of black male identity (and worth) to athletics. This is a deeply intelligent and powerful merger of modern and traditional elements.

The lithograph by Glenn Ligon, below, is similar. It puts a modern spin on the historical use of broadsides to identify runaway slaves. Although it looks like a traditional broadside, the description of the runaway is Ligon himself. Again, this is a brilliant example of the way an artist can extend and rework historical devices and narratives. Identity is evolving here but it is still deeply rooted in and informed by the past.