Behind the Smile and Artist Statement
Being from the Bay you see a lot of grillz. The shiny teeth gleaming out the mouth of the man on the corner. He's smiling at you with a mouth full of gold. Showing his teeth lets you know ho he is. It's a customary form of communication, dating back centuries. Having a grill illustrates abundance. Grillz are worn not just for fashion, but to enhance ones appearance in the best way possible. Showing your teeth can mean a number of things. "Lemme see you show ya grill" is usually followed by people pulling down the corner of their bottom lip, barring their shiny gold canines. A knowing smile that says, "yeah, you see it", higlights the confidence culture brings to a man. Our culture is so deeply embedded in us that it comes out effortlessly. It is important for us to have a conscious awakening and embrace these attributes of our culture in order for them to appreciate with value. It is evident that nothing is new under the sun, and it just gets better with time. This is call to shine from the inside out.
It sets fire to my core when I see Afrakan people being themselves. We have a culture that is diverse all across the board, yet we are one in the same. Some of us still have a subconscious awareness of it. With my work I hope to shift how Afrakan people see themselves in the world and begin to realize that we have everything we need to raise our vibration as a people. It starts with acknowledging the greatness from which we come from seen in our everyday lives.
If you believe that we are our ancestors in modern day time then my artwork is for you. The original is available as well as large scale 40x60 prints. The perfect addition to any wall space in your home or office.
