The Black Aesthetic Project
A digital collection of images that express black identity and creativity
Visual culture has been a form of captivity for black people. For hundreds of years in America, blacks have had no control over public perception of what it means to be black. Our cultural expression has been stifled. Our image subject to the powers that be.
The images of big-lipped buffoons that clumsily strutted across the stages of minstrel shows still haunt our nightmares. These images were once the lens to our culture: narrow in scope and absolutely humiliating.
Today it’s not much different. The media describes us as less than “angels.” It often portrays us as angry thugs destined for penitentiaries or an early graves. We are still not in control of the image.
The Black Aesthetic Project is an attempt to reverse some of what’s gone wrong. The goal is to capture the vibrance of the black aesthetic, gain a deeper understanding of black visual culture and the beauty of our identity. The project is divided into four sections: photography, paintings and illustrations, musical artwork and commercial/promotional artwork.
This is an ongoing collection that aims to counteract what we typically see. If the images below inspire you, I urge you to start your own collection — black is beautiful.
NOTE: I do not take credit for the production of any of these images. Attributing these images is a laborious process; it will be ongoing. If you see an image that does not contain attribution/is wrongly attributed and you know the source, PLEASE leave a note next to the image.
Photography
Paintings and Illustrations
Music Artwork
A Tribe Called Quest — “Low End Theory”
Sun Ra — Various Album Covers
De La Soul — “3 Feet High and Rising”
Grace Jones — “Slave to the Rhythm”
Beyonce — “Flawless” Single Cover
Herbie Hancock — “Sextant”
Minnie Riperton — “Perfect Angel”
Kid Cudi — Various
Pharrell Williams
Jimi Hendrix — Various
Odd Future — Earl Sweatshirt Illustration
Funkadelic — Various Album Covers
Kanye West — Various