‘Intentionally Left Blanc’ by Hank Willis Thomas: Reflecting on Black History

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_{Intentionally Left Blanc, a work by renowned Black American artist Hank Willis Thomas, is both a technical and conceptual masterpiece. At first glance, the large 4 x 2.5-meter photograph appears to be a blank white piece of paper. However, upon closer inspection, faint traces of people's faces can be discerned. The true image is "activated" when viewers take a flash photograph of it, revealing a crowd of African American protestors from the civil rights movement era.}

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_{This shape-shifting photograph serves as a commentary on the intentional erasure of Black American history from national narratives. African American history is often overlooked in conventional American history books and school textbooks. Just as flash photography is needed to uncover the full image, Willis Thomas calls for an active effort to seek out and educate ourselves on Black American history. This engagement ensures that ongoing struggles and past victories are kept alive for future generations, preventing a repetition of historical oppression and discrimination. It also serves as a reminder to continue the fight for equal rights. This is why Intentionally Left Blanc by Hank Willis Thomas is relevant to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of Reduced Inequalities.}

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_{As the title suggests, Willis Thomas has not only intentionally left the photograph seemingly blank but has also blanked out the faces of some activists in the final image. This act of obscuring certain individuals' faces makes the erasure of Black history feel more personal. He is emphasizing that remembering Black American history is not only necessary for the collective greater good but also to honor and cherish individuals who dedicated their lives to the pursuit of Black rights. Forgetting them and their sacrifices for the greater good is a risk we cannot afford.}

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_{On the other hand, Kadist, the art organization and residency, notes that Willis Thomas has erased the faces of the White allies present during the rally. By doing so, he turns the tables on the erasure of Black Americans from American history. This artistic decision poses a provocative question: How would White Americans feel if they were the ones being erased from American history?}

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_{In 2018, Willis Thomas’ first exhibition in Hong Kong, titled My Life is Ours, used similar techniques to those in Intentionally Left Blanc. He stood in solidarity with victims of the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident and those killed during the 2014 Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong. Using the same photo-reflective technology, he processed photographs from these protests to boldly state that while conventional historical records may attempt to erase them, there will always be a place for these activists in the hearts of the people they bravely lost their lives for.}

_{Hank Willis Thomas' work goes beyond merely curating archival photos and creating clever optical illusions; it is a call to action. It urges us to actively remember and honor the individuals and movements that have shaped the path to justice and equality for those who came after them.}

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