My art work in a context; my aesthetic influences have been shaped by the Black Arts Movement, which to me, is a continuum of the intellectual and cultural achievements of the Harlem Renaissance. That was a time when the creative “talented tenth” sought content and inspiration from African culture and history. For me, the Black Arts Movement was an extension or transliteration of that cultural imprint brought into the ‘60’s. African culture is the stalk from which Black people spring, it holds a core foundation to our spiritual, psychology and social development. The experiences of slavery, reconstruction, civil rights and other altering events have had a profound effect on the art and consciousness of Black people. For me, artistic subject matter is inspired by our origins, our history and our declarations of self-determination. It is the Black artists who will determine, what is beautiful, whole and authentic about Black People and their community. And a form of self-determination is identifying and validating their aesthetic principles.
Having said that, the following are some of the elements which I use in my within my work.
Frontality of the form: Representational images, which help the viewer identify the subject;
Rhythm / syncopation / improvisation - principles key to African and Black American music i.e. jazz or rather Black Classical music; R&B and the Blues;
Color - Bright and vital, Kool-aide colors, like the visual energy that Black people use to adorn themselves;
Function inherent in the visual statement, a message is conveyed: I choose words or symbols to communicate some of these themes: who we were, who we are, who we hope to become; our contributions to life and values
“Rite of Spring”
“Sun Drummer Speaks”
“Orisha Lake Bahia”
“Kemetic Kite - Rebel in my Soul”
“Free”
“Ari”
“Sankofa for the Earth”
