Artist Uses Art to Address Discipline in Black Households

Multidisciplinary artist Lex Marie has gained significant attention on TikTok and Instagram for her artwork confronting the dynamics of discipline in Black families. At her studio in Washington, D.C., located at American University’s Katzen Arts Center, belts transform beyond their typical use.

Inside, belts line canvases, meticulously arranged in rows and columns. Other belts become tools as Marie dips them in paint and swings them, creating bold strokes on white canvases. These works tell stories of childhood, discipline, survival, and the complex expressions of love, specifically focusing on corporal punishment in Black households.

“I’m critiquing discipline in Black households specifically,” Marie states. “I’m exploring the historical context of spankings and whippings, and how millennial parents approach raising children differently.”

Marie, 33, is a mother to an eight-year-old. Her art is deeply personal, intertwining her experiences with parenthood. As she navigates motherhood, memories of her childhood surface, prompting reflections and comparisons. These experiences shape her art installations.

One of her notable works, “Watch Your Tone,” stands six-by-six feet, composed entirely of belts in various brown, black, and pink shades, symbolizing skin colors. The piece’s title reflects a common parental admonishment, yet the belts suggest deeper meanings, connected to American history.

Conversations about corporal punishment in Black American households often relate to slavery’s legacy. Historically, whips controlled Black bodies. With time, these practices evolved into modern parenting methods. Yohuru Williams from the University of St. Thomas explains that the connection to corporal punishment is rooted in slavery.

“This idea that Black bodies require extreme punishment—shaped by the legacy of slavery—continued even post-slavery,” Williams notes. “There are deep roots in this belief of needing excessive discipline.”

Another piece, “Because I Love You,” showcases the act of punishment. Marie painted a wooden panel white and used a belt dipped in acrylic paint to mark it repeatedly. The process was physically taxing, echoing the piece’s title and the phrase children hear after punishment: “This hurts me more than it hurts you.” The process has been both cathartic and challenging for Marie.

Her artwork sparked a strong online response. Many shared childhood stories, some painful, others appreciative of the open discussion. Marie intends her work to foster conversation, not assign fault. It opens dialogue on a subject often left unspoken.

Williams stresses rethinking discipline within Black families. “Parents often believe harsh discipline toughened them, made them resilient,” he remarks. “But we need a candid conversation on its historical impacts and refine how we perceive discipline.”

“A community-centered, restorative justice approach honors human dignity,” Williams adds. “Post-Black Lives Matter, acknowledging discipline’s historical context is crucial for growth.”

Marie acknowledges her art provides a platform for difficult dialogues, particularly for those struggling to articulate these experiences. Her project will expand, leading to an exhibition this fall. The series, consisting of nearly 20 pieces, has already received interest and was purchased by filmmaker Spike Lee. Marie’s solo show at The Bishop gallery in Brooklyn, New York, will spotlight this series. Her aim isn’t unanimous agreement, but mutual recognition of these complex narratives.

This piece was edited by Olivia Hampton and produced by Nia Dumas, with digital writing by Nia Dumas.