James Baldwin (1924 - 1987) was an author, speaker, and activist who advocated — argued — extensively for civil rights throughout the latter half of the 20th century. His brilliance and eloquence are evident as soon as you hear him speak. I saw the documentary “I Am Not Your Negro” and have been reading Baldwin’s work, and was just struck by him. Baldwin’s telling of the Black experience in America is moving and difficult, but it is essential to hear. 

I think often about what the “message” of my work is, and what I want it to be. I’d been considering doing portraits of subjects of cultural significance, but I wasn’t sure what that might look like. When I saw James Baldwin’s face I knew it had to be him. He has a very distinct look, with an intense and emotive delivery, making it quite difficult to choose which of his expressions to capture. To be honest, one wouldn’t do. 

This piece represents the thought process, the delivery of the message, and making sure it was understood: “You denied my existence.”

This image exemplifies conflict and is meant to draw attention. The background color is loud, at the cusp of uncertainty whether it is orange or red, cautious or angry. The eyes and the angles of the faces sweep across the composition in one continuous thought, as  one portrait.