I am excited to expand my artistry as my position paper gave me a new beginning in defining my own position on the topic of masculinity in Arts and media. I consume quite a lot of art from distinct media sources and this has given me the opportunity to see a wider scope of the portrayals of masculinity in my communities. I looked at masculinity from the lens of colours and flowers in relation to BlackBoyJoy. Thus, my research question is: How can colours and flowers strengthen the ideals of BlackBoyJoy in my practice? For this, I researched my intuitive use of colours and flowers in visual arts using visual analysis. With this analysis I reflected on my personal usage of the two elements and further researched various Black artists embodying BlackBoyJoy who also work with these elements.
The research I have conducted will help me specify my practice by giving me the tools I need to make decisions backed with knowledge in how I'm using colour theory and my relation to flowers as a material. Having colour theory as a tool gives me the chance to play around with colours most people would not associate with Black men. Additionally, I want to create visuals where the Black man can interact with flowers. Combining the two offers me opportunities to present the Black man in a different light. Hence, strengthening the ideals of BlackBoyJoy in my practice.
I will be implementing the colour deck in order to aid in warping the reality of the artwork with the use of framing. Providing a colour association to add context to the audience’s perception of the reality they’re experiencing through the art I make. Creating new frameworks from the experience of being Black is a core fundament in both Afro-Surrealism and Afro-Futurism. They give space for speculation and reflection. I have a hypothesis that majority of Black artist either consciously or sub-consciously use Afro,-Surrealism and -Futurism in their practice, including myself. I use it as a means to create the realities for my artworks to reside in. Using experiences from a neo-colonial world as inspiration to tell a story from the perspective of the oppressed. Surrealism gives the possibility to think outside the box and Futurism gives the chance to imagine a possible outcome from reflections of now.
