Amanda D. King: Locusts

On February 10, 2021, Amanda D. King’s grandfather, William C. King Sr., died from COVID-19. Bearing the gravity of the pandemic while still living within it, King documented her grandfather’s illness and her family’s experience in the aftermath of his death. In creating and presenting this work, the artist leans on Christian spiritual mythmaking to help her face the devastating impacts of the global plague. The title Locusts is drawn from the biblical scripture, “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten…” (Joel 2:25). This exhibition explores the role of memory in grief, history, and spirituality through photographs depicting intimate, visceral, and challenging moments. Locusts offers an opportunity to understand and grapple with lingering sorrow, layered memories of deceased loved ones, social crisis, and grace.