I Make the Rules

So, I learned long ago that I would likely never get on “their” radar for a plethora of reasons - I have no distinct style; there’s not necessarily a resounding and consistent message in my work aside from Beautiful Blackness; there’s no particularly interesting stories within my life experiences; there’s no story about my subjects, Black people, that they find intriguing; I’m far too prolific to ever leave people panting with anticipation for the appearance of my next piece - which they have determined should come long after my last one is premiered; there’s no air of mystery to my art because I post everything I create as soon as I create it; I have no degrees, am not a student of history and have no formal education beyond high school.

The piece that inspired this essay

Shrinkage

Twice-fired stoneware. Original one-of-a-kind sculpture. TM Sculptures & Clayworks collection.

Those are their reasons, compiled to keep THEIR world inhabited by only a particular kind.

But here’s the gotcha...this bubble of creative expression that I’ve maneuvered within ever since I can remember is MY WORLD. And guess what? In my world, I make the rules and those rules are written in my spirit, inked directly from my soul. 

I’mma post my creations at will...because the people who want to see it, want to see it right now, and that’s good enough for me. I will continue to exalt Black beauty and Black culture, capturing all of the facets contained therein. That is my story. It is being written every day. It is one of the greatest stories ever told. Regarding intrigue and mystery, well, that happens the moment you stopped scrolling to pay attention - you were intrigued; Mystery? boring AF when it’s a manipulative façade. I’ve never been about fakeness and posturing. I am an open book - as are my creative accomplishments, challenges and dreams. You get that from me whenever I decide to give it, and if any aspect of my life, my creations, or my educational background only serve to rouse disinterest - exit my world. Simple, right?.

Nothing is more yawn inducing to me than the thought of compromising all that I am creatively in the hopes that their art world will show interest. Baby, with all the phenomenal talent from my people currently on display, as worthy of the thousands of dollars some simps will pay for an invisible sculpture of “energy”. We are held at a laughable ONE PERCENT in their art industry…ONE PERCENT. Believe me, figuring out ways to play by their rules will never be a priority.