Christopher Myers: Caliban’s Hands

Christopher Myers’ monumental sculpture is symbolic of the indigenous cultures occupied and suppressed by European colonial societies, and speaks to the dynamics of privilege, oppression, and forced servitude. The title references a character from Shakespeare's Tempest. Many consider the play an allegory of European colonization, and throughout the centuries, Caliban's character has featured prominently in arguments that defend or resist colonialist tyranny. Interpreted as a white man's burden, colonization was a means of conquering new lands and imposing the colonizer's culture on the native people.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Christopher Myers was born in New York, where he continues to live and work. An acclaimed writer and illustrator of young-adult literature, Myers’ artistic practice is equally rooted in his storytelling and interest in global affairs.