Title

Creation Date

Dimensions

14.25 in. W x 17.25 in. L Frames

Description

Portrait of George Floyd wearing a sweatshirt by Billy Thao.

"I am a Hmong-American children's illustrator and a visual artist, but I primarily focus on children's illustrations. I live within the Twin Cities, and I've exhibited my work from Eagan to Red Wing; in addition, I've donated my work from Senator Foung Hawj to Lee Pao Xiong, director of Center for Hmong Studies at Concordia University. I'd worked and illustrated Kao Kalia Yang's children's book which is in post-production, and will be released by UofM Press in Spring of 2021. 

Inspirations for George Floyd and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr derived from the darkest moments of history in Minnesota, which is the devastating death of George Floyd and the consequences that followed. I created the portrait of George Floyd a couple days after the incident as an implication of lamentation for all the people around the world who witnessed his tragic demise. The portrait of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was created and dedicated to my cousins, Jackie and Justi Thao, who both had an indirect experience with the rioting and looting; therefore, it sparked a feeling of fear within them. Reacting to their fear, I made the MLK portrait to ease their pain and fear and to inspire them to have hope."  Billy Thao, July 13, 2020.

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