Redhead and not a dread

From a series of work both paintings and drawings exploring masculinity and identify within working class men. A prime focus of the work was exploring issues around Afro Caribbean men and observing issues of hyper masculinity, and identity. Black male identity that challenges the preconceived notion black masculinity and blackness. A blackness born out of cultural constructs that are both passed down via history, class and media. Whilst these work can be perceived as portraits in fact they are a snapshot of moment in time, capturing a glimpse into who this person is. Red not Dread is a nod to the complex identity of blackness whereby a black person born with red hair can be viewed as an outcast by appearance alone added to not conveying to a stereotype the figure stands alone proud in his melalin yet challenging what it is to be a blackman in a society that takes it’s reference from a projected blackness that at times distorts and misrepresents the blackman.

MediumOil on Linen.Size56cm x 66cm Year2023