"Breonna Taylor became a martyr in spite of herself, as did several other black Americans, murdered with impunity by the American police; which constantly commits murders on this part of the population. It is a representation that I did not want to be falsely triumphant because its history characterizes the epit.mes of the alienation of people discriminated against in a racist and unequal society. She did not choose this death; it was imposed on her. These people stole her life and her dreams, and she became the symbol of centuries-old struggle. I wanted to pay tribute to her life, and the quiet strength she seemed to have."
Proceeds from the sale of the present lot will be divided between the artist, Breonna Taylor's family, and LEAP, Ava Duvernay's Law Enforcement Accountability Project, a fund focused on storytelling around police violence and abuse that will commission projects across multiple forms of media including film, literature, theatre, dance, Replica Handbags and music. The artist has pledged to donate her portion to anti-racism and educational projects with which she is involved.
“Our sis. We live in a world of crooks with titles and criminals with badges that will not give you justice today. But justice will come. And it will come from us. Pushing and pulling, plotting and protesting, piercing the blue walls designed to terrorize us. Justice will come. Not today. But it will. Until then, we give you what we can. We give you glory. That word means that we will take pride in you. We will honor you. We will never forget you. We can give you this today. And tomorrow. And onward.” (Ava DuVernay)