THE ART OF BLACK LIVES MATTER

Art has always held an important place in activism. Activist art is as important to a movement as the movement is itself.  Protest art is the essence of the struggle captured in a fleeting moment as a painting, an illustration, or performance piece.

The Black Lives Matter movement was formed in 2013, shortly after the death of Trayvon Martin. Martin was an unarmed teen who was shot near his home while coming back from a local shop. Martins tragic death had struck a chord, and sparked a fire. That fire was the Black Lives Matter movement.

The Black Lives Matter movement has its roots deep in the Civil Rights movement of the 1960's, and the movement not only addresses police brutality but also:

-The prison industrial complex

-Minority LGBTQ issues

-Education Issues

-Identity and cultural Issues

-Poverty

-Family Issues

In the movements mission statement, Black Lives Matter states that it does not represent or support any political party nor any presidential candidate. And that it serves as an "ideological and political intervention created to hold institutions responsible for the thousands of lives lost by undue violence and police brutaliy." The movement also addresses systemic racism in all institutions, and is leading where the original Civil Rights movement left off.

Art by Julian Watkins, 2015

The art of the Black Lives Matter movement reflects the movements mission as well as the general feeling of the people involved. The art reflects the sorrow, fear, anger and confusion that the people feel as unarmed people are shot or killed almost daily. The art also reflects the empowerment that people have felt as it has created a safe enviroment to voice themselves. 

Black Lives Matter has inspired many galleries to hold special shows that showcase such art. There has been countless acts of street art, guerrilla wheat paste flyers and graffiti that has defaced dark corners and public places. In May, a group in Boston had defaced a statue in a public park. Was it illegal? Yes. But art and protest hold no bounds. 

The art of Black Lives Matter includes illustrations, paintings, digital art and physical performace and protests in public places. Most of the art is inspired by actual events that have conspired. For example, this piece with a women in a bathing suit standing over a police officer, was inspired by an incident in Texas when the police had barged in on a local pool party, and a girl in a bathing suit was tackled down to the ground. 

Art by Marcus Prime, 2015

 There was also an incident where a women named Bree Newsome had climbed up a pole at the South Carolina state house, and removed the Confederate flag from the pole it had been on. She had surrendered after the act. The act itself was a strong statement regarding the flag and its meaning. Not long after that the flag was taken down from government property because of legislation inspired by this womens act of defiance. This act had inspired artist Julian Watkins to create his iconic illustration.

Art by Alonda Williams, 2015

 Artist Alonda Williams, who is also a writer, wrote "Penny and the magic puffballs", which is a book that celebrates natural black hair. Williams not only celebrates the black life, but also confronts contemporary political issues, such as police brutality and racism in America. Mainstream artists have also began to speak out and join the movement. Just last week at an awards show, artists Janelle Monet had began speak out and sing her protest song, and NBC cut her off.

Finally, the movement has inspired many young hip hop artists to take the message of the movement and create conscious music. Music that empowers and educates. Music like that of the early 90's, where artists would sing of the plight of poverty, opression and undue violence. Music that lifts people and gives them hope, as well as angers and inspires them to take action.

Xeno Malone,  with a protest song.

In conclusion, the Black Lives Matter movement is gaining momentum and starting to make a difference. More police are being held accountable for violence, more institutions are being questioned, and more lives are being saved. The art of the movement is diverse, and is the essence of people. Art is a conduit, and a megaphone. Art is a defiant act.
Create art.
Start a conversation that matters.
#BLACKLIVESMATTER