Birth After Death...

This project was meant to provide myself with a creative outlet to explore the topics and questions that I attempt to address often enough in my paintings and found object scupltures. Ideologies that exist within and around the phenomenom that is black culture, more specifically, African-American culture and its youth. Also, this is combined with considerations and ideas that implicitly compound African-American's and our reflections upon power, both inherited and those woefully sought after or vehemently fought against as exhibited more visually than comprehensively. The final component would be the political dynamics that co-exist and reside within both of these entities.

Where do lions fit among all of this? Well, they exist wholly as the visual congregate so to speak of the aforementioned bodies. Power, Ego, and Politics are again blanketed by a system comprised of the MALE dynamic. This bought forth in me ideas and similarities that exist somewhat in the animal kingdom, but more specifically in regards to my story - the heirarchy of the pride structure. (Yes, this is a loaded gun, with ammunition to spare for which I will exhaust the weapon and empty the clip.)

I am in this instance and throughout my story, attempting to explore, investigate and expose some of benefits and fallacies of such a system. But, lastly, and just as importantly, the story comes to fore after the death of humans. The reason for this is that life on earth as we know it seems to progressively inch towards an existence in which we as people may not exist in it. In many a essay and/or modes of thought, the increase of our dependency and reliance upon the more artificial and industrial of aspirations, will inevitably lead to a more defined decline of respect and appreciation or, overall desensitized identification the natural environment. Thus, my story does indeed imply that if this were to be the case...well, in a fantastical comic book-like sorta way.

I haven't the proper grasp of it all and thought to approach this as simply and comfortably as possible, employing all of my faculties to create something that would inform as well as entertain. For me and any reader or viewer who may find it intriguing.
And so, below is the above in outline form...

Politics, because...

• Politically, males have maintained the majority of seats and thus power.
• Thus, the reference of, "the ol' boys club"
• Finally, the bravado and sense of ego that comes along or possibly inherent in this power.

Urban youth, because...

• Ego
• Stylish flair, due to or product of ideas/ambition/represention of power, self perceived or actual
• Power: heirarchy

**African-american males have, in this instance and often enough, a severe sense of political
ambitions under the guise power.

Lions, because..

• Lions captivate, their whole visual prowess is frightenly overwhelmingly, awe inspiring
• Exude strength
• Regality

All of these entities have a common thread that presents itself by a most motivating hair-like of..

• Awe
• Power
• Visual recognition
• Male

The coolness of a "cat" insinuates a confidence but belies its uncertainty although a sense of power and control is read through its actions.

A goal, one of few in regards to this project, is to better understand these mechanics which will be probably be an exhausting effort...

Thank you for your interest.