The artwork titled “Twenty Questions (A Sampler)” was created by Lorna Simpson in 1986. It is associated with the Feminist Art and Postcolonial art movements and falls within the photo genre.
The artwork features four circular images, each depicting the back of a woman’s head with short, dark hair. Above the circles is a label that reads “TWENTY QUESTIONS (A SAMPLER).” Below each circle, there is a corresponding textual phrase: “IS SHE AS PRETTY AS A PICTURE”, “OR CLEAR AS CRYSTAL”, “OR PURE AS A LILY”, “OR BLACK AS COAL”, and “OR SHARP AS A RAZOR.” The circular images with the aligned phrases collectively invoke themes of identity, representation, and societal expectations. The minimalist presentation and repetition of the woman’s image aim to prompt the viewer to consider the depth of stereotypes and the complexity of the subject’s identity beyond physical appearance.
