Theaster Gates (b. 1973)

"There were many roofs to tar. Many slight and great spaces to patch. Roofing membrane and drip edges, gravel stops and rubberized particulate. The men who slung tarred mops on the black tops of my youth have aged. The kettle has settled and I'm left to make meaning with burns and pulleys behind me. Roof tops are silver now, to deflect the sun and my father's kettle doesn't pour--like that--anymore" (Theaster Gates, 2013)