I had to highlight this artist because she is so talented and her work is amazing. I saw her work in person at the MoMA in San Francisco. Imagine being surrounded by large black paper silhouettes, depictions of the Antebellum South. What's so powerful about these works is that you have to leave your mind to its imagination. All you have are these black shadows of whirling depictions of race, gender, sexuality, violence and identity -- you have to piece the story together.

Kara Walker was born in Stockton, California and was inspired by her family to pursue her artistic talents. She takes from African-American folklore from the Antebellum South and filters it through a very contemporary and unconventional lens. Walker, in a way, is recapturing the story of America through whimsical and at times nightmarish illustrations. When I was faced with these shadows of unnamed familiar profiles, I was reminded of the countless faceless individuals that have been subjugated to the abuse, atrocities and ignorance that are hidden between our histories pages. Those who were thought to be forgotten are given life through Walker's work. Definitely a must see!