THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN BEAUTY AND WHITENESS HAS PROVED HARD TO SHAKE. THERE’S A REASON THAT SO MANY PEOPLE STILL THINK OF AN “ALL-AMERICAN BEAUTY” AS A THIN, BLONDE, BLUE-EYED WHITE WOMAN. IT WASN’T UNTIL 1940 THAT THE RULES WERE CHANGED TO ALLOW WOMEN OF COLOR TO ENTER THE MISS AMERICA PAGEANT. BEFORE
THAT, THE OFFICIAL RULES STATED THAT CONTESTANTS HAD TO BE “OF GOOD HEALTH AND OF THE WHITE RACE.”
Each face is made up of facial elements from several different sources. Archival images, family photos, snap
Each body or figure is created from disparate parts and manipulated images of fabrics and clothing.
The visual disconnect between upper and lower torso and limbs provides a sense of surrealism that visually describes the day to day of my existence as a black man in this country.
1792 (SOURCE MATERIAL)
Denmark decided to abolish their transatlantic slave trade... because...
THE TRANSPORT OF SLAVES WAS EXPENSIVE.
The Danish believed the treatment of the slaves in the West Indies should be improved, to limit the number of deaths. Which would allow more children to be born... to be slaves.
They struck a coin to celebrate themselves.
shots of friends, found imagery, and I occasionally use my own face when I need a specific angle or attitude.
I use disparate elements, from found images, textural explorations, my photography and graphic illustrated elements to build the landscapes. I am constantly taking photos. All day every day. These photos provide the textures and backgrounds for all of my art.
I create a free standing crumpled paper still-life, then photograph them and manipulate the images until I’ve created something that straddles reality and fantasy. I want to show you something familiar and then alter your perspective. These shapes and “views” are familiar but I want to you conjure up places you have been and seen. Not simply reproduce a vista for it’s own sake.
MISSION: Empower
innovate through media and technology. VISION: Create courageous leaders.
after-school clubs, camps, events and publications, and
In the African American community, we are rediscovering a narrative that has not been fully illustrated. It’s the job of visual communicators to review historical information and inform the community by bringing these concepts to life and help visually define our collective story.
Providing imagery and space for stories about the strengths and trials of the African-American community is a big part of my motivation.
