Black Kings

artist statement

"Black Kings" is a collection of works honoring the supportive energy and role black men have in our community. Throughout American History, the media has attacked the image of black men. One of the most horrific portrayals of this is in one of American cinema's earliest films "Birth of a Nation." In the film, black men are depicted as threats to white women, showcasing outlandish scenarios of rape and violence. The long lasting effects of the media's portrayal can be seen today in the clutching of purses by a white woman as a black man walks by, the locking of car doors and false accusations of threats ending up in unjust murders by police. This project seeks to combat the stereotypes many white women often have of black men through visual storytelling showcasing the protective, nurturing and supportive nature of black men who have been a major part of my life."

All of the Portrait pieces were given to each King in honor of their friendship.