Untitled
Finn D.
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Drawing my composition, I applied pastel and charcoal techniques—and adopted the natural color of the paper to allow the subject to stand out.
The figure is anonymous—representing a greater generational experience of African American identity and beauty in the United States. Moreover, the piece explores the intersection of emotional and physical beauty, as well as the beauty of generational African-American perseverance.
To give my audience the opportunity to experience the overlapping layers of emotions within the subject's eyes and face, I intentionally drew the subject with a bold expression and a direct stare. The idea of layers comes also from the physical layers of diverse marks and textures that make up my drawing.
My intention is to show that there are more than generational experiences of trauma for African-Americans living in American society where white beauty has historically been the standard of beauty and still very much is. Although this aspect of the African-American experience, which is often and rightfully depicted in certain artwork is extremely important to acknowledge, I wanted to also highlight (demonstrated in the figure's purposeful stance) an equally important facet of strength and power.
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I like to think of creativity as an extension of identity; a person's ability to share with the world an experience or idea, equally their own, shared, or different—a reflection of the moment. When I draw or paint, my creativity manifests itself in the process of making—and less the final product.
