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What is the title and medium for this collection?

A: Black Boys Bloom Too. This collection of work is a digital collage art series featuring real portraits. 

Over the years, I have noticed that several collections that you have constructed have been vibrant and colorful, what do you think of color? … How does it resonate with you? 

A: From my perspective, color can be the most useful and truest expression of how we feel next to language and diction. Two people could have a barrier of language, culture and experiences between them, but both could share feelings of sorrow while observing a predominantly blue hued portrait. No words are needed to share the essence of what they both feel in that moment. That power resonates with me, and I’m often inspired to show respect to the importance of color as a result.

What are the founding premises of this collection? 

A: The foundation for Black Boys Bloom Too is centered around the idea of exploring and honoring the beauty, vulnerability and regality of Black Men. I wanted to approach these concepts and this series by reimagining the notion of what it means to fully blossom as a Black Man. Naturally, a lot of my work is reflective of my current mental and emotional space, as well as my own experiences. 

The three cruxes mentioned were central themes that I sat with in 2019 while navigating my own healing journey. This exploration involved teaching myself that beauty is not limited to vanity unless allowed, and that I can have beautiful experiences as a Black Man that are complex and nuanced. Also reminding myself that my expressions of vulnerability do not have to be accompanied by self detachment from natural emotional experiences. Lastly, grounding myself in the reassurance that as a Black man I can be regal, or any other expression I constantly find myself deprived of. These were integral lessons, and sometimes these lessons are required to be encapsulated by way of creation for me to truly internalize it. I released the installments in sets of three, each set is anchored in one of the corresponding themes mentioned. The first set showcasing beauty, the second set exploring vulnerability and the last set honoring regality. All of these concepts mentioned are just one of many that I interpret as Flowers within that cannot bloom unless you are taught to water them. 

What is it that you want the viewer to feel when viewing this collection?

A: Outside of the themes mentioned earlier, It was with deep intention that I wanted love and adoration to be felt at its core while viewing this series. Desensitization is a byproduct of social media that we cannot allow to go imbalanced for too long without altering our overall perception. The themes explored in this series are all concepts that can feel devoid from our natural Black experience. Which eventually desensitizes us to these same experiences. Especially after constantly consuming content like videos of Black bodies losing life. If we do not set examples before us that can deflect the idea that we are not capable to explore or experience the spectrum of such concepts mentioned, we further strengthen the agenda that is already in place to strip our inherent Blackness from us. This series serves as my one of ongoing bids towards that task of providing alternatives to those narratives we find them most harmful. I’m doing that with love For Us, By Us, and I want that to be felt. 

How does this collection align with or deviate from what is urban?

A: I think what is collectively defined as urban is always changing because the urban or Black experience is not a monolith. I’m a Northside Baby. Born and raised in the 53206 zip code. Those of us from the city by default understand the many complex things that could be implied there. Some would even associate negative connotations with saying such a thing, but I champion that statement as a phrase of endearment. And rightfully so, because myself and many other creatively brilliant minds are direct fruitful results of the possibilities that are able to sprout from the most condemned urban areas. I currently live through and relate to the plight of our People. My alignment to this lived urban experience creates space for my work to be indicative of it as well. Which is why I respect the work Genre is so much. One of my favorite concepts about Genre: Urban Arts itself, is the idea of turning the intangible into the tangible for those who need it. Especially for people from a place like myself, where we’re inclined to believe that the tangibility of the things we desire most are too far out of reach. I feel this series embodies the essence of what that means, therefore making these intangible concepts mentioned that much more tangible for the urban. 

editor note: Genre: Urban Arts uses the work Genre to identify a location and not a people

If you had to give advice to the world one time and could never speak this advice again what would you say?

A: Amazing question. This is hard to say because there is so much that we need to hear and internalize right now. On an intuitive whim, I would advise all listening ears to actively support and root for everybody Black (shoutout to Issa Rae). We’re going to continue to change the World, shift perceptions, and redirect narratives unapologetically at a rate in which most would not believe is possible. Don't miss the boat. You can and will be left behind. 

Who helped you find your path to being an artist and photographer?

A:  My Ancestors. My Mother. My Partner. All people who I venerate through my lived experiences, decisions, work and Art. Since as far back as I can remember, I’ve always been naturally talented at something. But also for as long as I can remember, these flowers that were buried deep inside were never watered. Music. Writing. Spoken Word. Performance. Cooking. Critical thinking. Photography. I didn't know how to tap into all of the amazing things within myself, and no one around me could show me how to do so either. So for the majority of my life, all of these talents remained unearthed. I poked my foot in the waters every now and again, but I could never muster up the confidence to fully step out onto my path and discover the hidden beauty within. I didn't pick up a professional camera until three years ago. This series is my very first digital collage art series as well. I’ve self taught in every medium that I use to create outside of cooking, which I am now trained professionally in by way of Classical French Cuisine. But even before culinary school,

the foundation was already there from constantly observing in my Mother’s kitchen. I’m now at the point of self discovery where I realize and embrace that not creating and sharing my Art is a huge disservice to myself, my community and those mentioned earlier who helped illuminate the path to get here.

What’s next?

A: For 2020 I’m setting intention and focus to simply genuinely create some amazing things with as many people as I can. Circling back to the theme of watering the flowers within and also internalizing what I learn throughout the process, I just really want to put myself and my work out there much more this year. I have the confidence now. I have the talent now. I have the support now. The only thing left is for me to act on it.