Sixteenth International Conference on New Directions in the Humanities

Abstract

This is a humanities-based research paper addressing the question of how the shotgun house’s place in Houston’s Third Ward helps in rethinking theories of property possession. First, the paper will discuss theories of property possession and what a “sense of place” is. Then, it will define what a shotgun house is, its history, and how the shotgun houses’ influence spread throughout the United States, specifically to Third Ward in Houston, Texas. After, the paper will introduce how Houston artist John Biggers, who used the shotgun house as a focal point in his artwork, inspired artist Rick Lowe. Lowe created an initiative called Project Row Houses in Third Ward which aims to preserve abandoned shotgun houses through revitalizing them into exhibits, community resources, and low-income housing. The paper will feature artwork from John Biggers, Project Row Houses, and Harvey Johnson, one of John Biggers’ students who, like Biggers, used the shotgun house as a focal point in his artwork. As the artwork is included, art critique will be made surrounding the work, including contextualization of black culture and history. Following this, the paper will discuss the status of shotgun houses today, and how the effects of gentrification, natural disasters, and lack of government funding is impacting the integrity of the housing structure. Then, the essay will address how theories of property possession apply to shotgun houses in historically black neighborhoods and how to use theories of property possession and the history of the shotgun house as a resource for community engagement.