DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/QV6J-D760
Defense Date
2007
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Fine Arts
Department
Sculpture
First Advisor
Seimon Allen
Second Advisor
Kendall Buster
Abstract
Breadfuit is a strange thing. It's a starchy potato-like sustenance not particularly noteworthy by most accounts. But it's history is amazing, an epic journey. Relocated from the Samoan island of Upalu to Oahu, Hawaii in the 12th Century as well as transplanted from Tahiti, as an economical food source for slaves in the West Indies in 1780 the lowly breadfruit has been held in the hands of Fletcher Christian, Captain Bligh, James Cook, King Kamehameha and innumerous other nameless individuals including Matt Spahr. This fruit contains the weight of colonialism, capitalism, exploration and tropical fantasy under its skin. The collision of histories such as these and the identities of related participants are the focus of the following essay.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
June 2008