Kara Walker at Sikkema Jenkins

Over the past few years, Kara Walker has moved away from her signature antebellum figures seen in silhouette enacting various barbarisms on each other.  In the back galleries of Chelsea’s Sikkema Jenkins, they return with vigor and malice, begging the question of what’s changed since they made Walker’s name in the mid-90s.  (Through May 22nd).  

Kara Walker, Wall Sampler 1, cut paper and paint on wall, dimensions variable, 2013.