Bang
Painting on unstretched material with grommets • Kerry James Marshall
Style & Movement
Contemporary African American Art / Post-Modernism / Figurative Realism
Medium & Technique
Acrylic and collage on unstretched canvas (or heavy vinyl) with metal grommets; techniques include flat color fields, graphic line work, drip effects, and the use of text balloons
Creation Period
1994
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 8 feet by 9 feet (99 x 114 inches); large-scale landscape orientation
Subject Description
Three African American children are depicted in a suburban backyard during a Fourth of July celebration. One girl holds a flagpole while two boys stand with hands over hearts during a pledge. A charcoal grill, white picket fence, and backyard garden provide the setting. The scene is framed by a white ribbon banner inscribed with 'HAPPY JULY 4 WE ARE ONE' and 'BANG' appearing in stylized pink clouds, juxtaposing patriotic ritual with a subtle undercurrent of American violence.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent/Very Good; the work is intentionally displayed in an unstretched format with visible folds and grommets as part of the artist's aesthetic
Estimated Market Value
$15,000,000 - $25,000,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$12,000,000 - $20,000,000 USD
Provenance History
Commissioned or purchased for significant public/private collections. Currently part of a major institutional collection (e.g., The Cleveland Museum of Art)
Art Historical Significance
A seminal work in Marshall's career, 'Bang' explores the complexities of Black identity in America and the 'Garden City' concept. It challenges the invisibility of Black life in traditional Western art history by placing Black subjects within a standard American idyllic narrative, while the word 'BANG' serves as a critical commentary on the irony of American freedom and gun violence.
Notable Features
Distinguished by Marshall's signature 'black-on-black' figurative style where skin tones are rendered in deep ebony. Features a 'ghosted' architectural drawing collaged onto the right side and metal grommets along the edges that reference banners or tapestries.
Condition Issues
Minor surface scuffing characteristic of unstretched works; intentional creases from storage and folding; light dust accumulation in textured areas
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain stable humidity and temperature; display under UV-filtered lighting; use acid-free backing when mounted; support the weight of the grommets during long-term exhibition to prevent tearing