Imagine a world without art and crafts. Imagine a world without colours and emotions. That’s pretty much pale and lifeless. For colours define the beauty of our lives- be it black or white.
However, thanks to the existing xenophobia and bigotry in the global culture that make colour as a subject of prejudice. Recently, America’s ongoing protests on Black Lives Matter made headlines throughout the world. From a mere hashtag to a global movement, this initiative by the people, for the people have successfully drawn attention to the massive issues of racism.
While famous celebrities came forward, a lot of artists supported Black Lives Matter. They responded to the death of George Flyod and the huge ongoing protest with great artwork that can get under anyone’s skin.
The irony is that when a colour initiates a crime, a bunch of more hues and shades blend together to get the due justice. Because the power of art opens human minds and educates them to do the right!
A big shoutout to all those artists who devoted themselves to Black Lives Matter art without any selfish motive. However, before delving into the details, here’s a recap of the protests that became a global phenomenon.
Why Black Lives Matter?
Protest…Rallies…Unmask acquaintances.. Rubber bullets…Tear gas…Burglary….Death. And this does matter.
The movement started when George Floyd, an African-American was killed by a ‘white’ police officer for allegedly passing a counterfeit $20 bill in Minneapolis.
Floyd’s death did not remain another addition to the long tally of the Black Americans who have died at the hands of police officers. Things turned out to be different. From Twitter hashtag to Black Lives Matter street art, it became a massive movement.
And how can the artists stay behind? As the world continues the protest, the talented minds came forward with their creatives to add purpose and value to the cause. Let’s look back and see how the artists supported Black Lives Matter with their ingenious crafts.
Banksy
This anonymous artist, often known for elusive and striking artwork took to Instagram to show solidarity with the protest. His work displayed the flag of the US is being set on fire by a candle forming a black silhouetted figure.
He is one of those artists supported Black Lives Matter without any terms and conditions. With his creativity, Bansky condemned the brutality and the dominance of a failing white system. He also mentioned that racism is a white problem and the white needs to fix it to stop the heinous crimes.
Adrian Brandon, who believed in black lives matter
Adrian Brandon, a Brooklyn based artist, honoured the protest by creating an incomplete portrait on Instagram. He started the ‘Stolen’ series, where he puts up portraits of black women and men using graphite and ink who were killed by the US police.
The paintings are incomplete because whenever he starts colouring, he sets a timer of each minute for each year of the subject’s life before s/he was murdered. For example, a timer of 46 minutes was set for George Floyd.
Adrian confessed of getting triggered and anxious while doing Black Lives Matter Art as he thought of the awful feeling that black people are subjected to. He also said that no series pulled his emotions to such a deeper level, the way ‘Stolen’ has done.
Leledoesdoodles
Goes by the name @leledoesdoodles, is a self-taught artist created multiple digital illustrations to support the movement. Her drawing exhibited an amalgamation of the inhumane treatment that black people have gone through and racial inequality.
She realised with her huge following base, the message for the plea of justice and strong solidarity can reach across the mass. That’s why with her Black Lives Matter Art, this digital creator raised her voice to bring a change for good.
Titus Kaphar
Titus Kaphar is another renowned American artist known for his impeccable skills in making sculptures and painting also supported the movement with his art. He painted a black mother holding a silhouette of a child, created by cutting into canvas.
T.I.M.E Magazine featured this distressing yet awe-inspiring painting as the cover photo . The talented artist said he can’t change anything in the world but can paint. It doesn’t give him hope amid the difficult times but provides solace.
Apart from the artists, multiple photographers who equally participated in the movement. A lot of them by selling their arts raised funds to support the movement. This is astonishing to see when the world gets indulged into guns and bullets, the art world reacts in a distinctive way to bring a change.
We salute these artists who supported Black Lives Matter to bring a change in this colourblind world.
That’s all for today. For more updates about art and art reformers please check out Movements / Styles section in our website artswel.com
Originally published at https://artswel.com on August 27, 2020.
