"Gang N Nem II"

I reference blaxploitation movies in the collage because of the role that black actors and actress played during this time in history. Blaxploitation movies are the first examples of black lead roles in movies that didn’t box them into being side kicks or the villain of the movie. I think these movies are the foundation of lead black roles in movies today because it paved the way for other who look like me to have a space to shine. I also think that when looking at film I can compare the effects of it to painting. By this I mean painting was once used as a way to depict certain groups of people savage or barbarous and with the invention of photography and later film this changed how we documented people and moments in life. Film currently is way that people consume culture and by combining both mediums I can further derail centuries worth of stereotypes used to disadvantage minorities.

I use spikes to represent how often people of color are looked at as dangerous or a threat before given a chance to be known. The pictures are from blaxploitation movie posters.

I am a multidisciplinary artist who mainly focuses in materials such as fabric, video, and collage. My work is inspired by my self discovery through black history and culture. I bring experiences from my own personal life as well as ones that I hope for and visually try to capture overwhelming emotion through material.” - Camron Wright (he/him).