I want to illustrate the life-cycle of the inner life of a black person. From innocent to informed. From recklessly defiant to determined. How the weight of American history can either crush you or harden you. And, how either result often has to be hidden from view just to get through the day. The anger of the African-American community is often portrayed as a threat. The anger of “traditional’ communities is depicted as righteous. This paradigm feeds stress and despair back into black lives and thus stokes the fires we try to simultaneously hide and harness.
My Two Cents
I use disparate elements, from found images, family photographs, historical photographs, my photography and illustrated elements to build the characters and portraits. This work tells the story of love in the face of fear… pride in the face of debasement… ascension in the face of subjugation.