Culture

This Artist Challenges Perception With Ordinary Objects

Willie Cole is known for transforming everyday objects, like high heels, steam irons and ironing boards.

This Artist Challenges Perception With Ordinary Objects
Sadé Carpenter / Newsy
SMS

Visual artist Willie Cole uses ordinary household objects and found items to challenge perception.

"The transformation is more about a relaxation of what you perceive to be your 'know-it-all state' so that you can let things talk to you, whether it be shape, form or color," he said. "And to that, we can apply our life lessons, so that gives us psychological edge that transforms it into another meaning or another experience."

Art As Protest: How One Artist Uses Portraits To Confront Injustice
Art As Protest: How One Artist Uses Portraits To Confront Injustice

Art As Protest: How One Artist Uses Portraits To Confront Injustice

A Chicago artist turns his art into activism in order to honor blackness and protest police brutality.

LEARN MORE

Newsy's Sadé Carpenter asked Cole about his work with one domestic item in particular: the steam iron. He explained its connection to his black heritage, including ties to his immediate family and deeper roots in slavery.