A common theme in black visual art is the interpretation of Black Love. This subject matter spans from first kiss and love’s innocence to the very provocative, sensual erotic noire. Growing up, I always cherished these images; it echoed the sentiment that I have experienced my entire life –my parent’s love. There is something magical and encouraging about seeing a black man love a black womanand a black woman loving a black man. When a world has taught you to hate who you are, where you come from and that your ways of life and worship is barbaric, the love we have for one another seems to be the only humane ideal we cling to and can press our cheeks against. Sexual intimacy has far been stripped from the existence that coalesces between Black Men and Black Women. Instead, the idea of oneness, the merging of the Yoni and Phallic has been reduced to archaic rituals and vocabulary of a pseudo-rape culture of power over pleasure. Consequentially, the performance of sexual intimacy has been reduced to a limited vocabulary: Fucking, Busting Nuts, Busting it wide open, Beating it Up, Tearing it up and any other aggressive terminology that seems more like a brutish act of war juxtapose that the connection and act itself ultimately yields new life. It moves beyond the limited notions of words such as freaky, nasty, thot, hoe; these words are often attributed specifically to black women who unapologetically express their sexuality.
Often times, black female bodies are reduced (not as a work of art), but a perverse pleasure to only serve as a purpose of satisfaction and not respected as the direct descendants of the great mother that birthed humanity. In some spaces, the idea of a female receiving satisfaction is robbed from her experiencing it completely by means of clitoridectomy and female genital mutilation. Black females’ bodies (along with voices) have been silenced by Government, organized religon, White Supremacy, White Feminism, Black men and unfortunately, willing black female participants. However, I will not deny nor silence my sexual sensual desires that I feel and experience as a woman. Those who choose not to see the beauty of erotica and the erotic noire are simply denying their intuitions and desires for the sake of others feeling comfortable and in control. Thus, Coffee and Cognac: A Succulent Sip, emerged from the longing of loving our bodies, embracing our desires, acknowledging the connection is deeper than the meeting of His Yin and Her Yoni, and of course, how two elixirs, two libations can alleviate pain, smooth things over, quiet spirits, entice taste buds or engage excitement….the same way the performance of intimacy has always captured and release signs (and sounds) of pleasure.
Often times, black female bodies are reduced (not as a work of art), but a perverse pleasure to only serve as a purpose of satisfaction and not respected as the direct descendants of the great mother that birthed humanity. In some spaces, the idea of a female receiving satisfaction is robbed from her experiencing it completely by means of clitoridectomy and female genital mutilation. Black females’ bodies (along with voices) have been silenced by Government, organized religon, White Supremacy, White Feminism, Black men and unfortunately, willing black female participants. However, I will not deny nor silence my sexual sensual desires that I feel and experience as a woman. Those who choose not to see the beauty of erotica and the erotic noire are simply denying their intuitions and desires for the sake of others feeling comfortable and in control. Thus, Coffee and Cognac: A Succulent Sip, emerged from the longing of loving our bodies, embracing our desires, acknowledging the connection is deeper than the meeting of His Yin and Her Yoni, and of course, how two elixirs, two libations can alleviate pain, smooth things over, quiet spirits, entice taste buds or engage excitement….the same way the performance of intimacy has always captured and release signs (and sounds) of pleasure.
The series above is an ongoing collection of water color and mixed media on paper. Although I have not determined how many will be in the paper series, there will be limited editions available soon. I would be remiss not to mention that these works are inspired by the photography of Vincent Christie and his baby (website) Pangeasgarden.com. Link will be below. Please check out the website and stay tuned for updates...
Peace
www.pangeasgarden.com
Peace
www.pangeasgarden.com
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