Humor's always been the problem of my work, hasn't it? When working, I feel satisfied when I surprise myself. And when I surprise myself, I wind up laughing.

Kara Walker’s quote, "Humor's always been the problem of my work, hasn't it? When working, I feel satisfied when I surprise myself. And when I surprise myself, I wind up laughing," reflects her relationship with humor in her art. Walker suggests that humor has often been a challenge for her work, potentially because it doesn’t always fit neatly into the serious, often provocative themes she explores. Her work often deals with difficult subjects like race, history, and identity, and the presence of humor might seem out of place or create tension within those themes.

Walker goes on to explain that she feels satisfied when she can surprise herself during the creative process. This self-surprise comes from the unexpected connections or realizations she experiences while creating. In the context of her work, surprising herself is a sign of creative innovation—of pushing the boundaries of what she expects to discover or convey. This process of discovery is often so unexpected or ironic that it leads her to laugh, showing that humor plays a role in her creative flow, even if it isn't always the main focus.

The idea that humor arises when Walker surprises herself also points to the playfulness and fluidity of her creative process. Laughter can be a natural response to uncovering something surprising, absurd, or insightful. For Walker, humor emerges not as a conscious decision but as a byproduct of her intense engagement with her work. It suggests that creativity and humor can coexist in a way that provides both clarity and joy amidst the complexity of her artistic vision.

Ultimately, Walker’s quote highlights the unpredictability of the creative process and the role that humor plays in helping her connect with her own work. Even when exploring serious or uncomfortable themes, her ability to surprise herself and find moments of laughter shows that humor can be an integral, albeit sometimes unexpected, part of the artistic journey. This reinforces the idea that self-discovery in art often comes with moments of irony and humor.