By Sydney Williams & Tumay Aslay
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. That may explain how art has always played an integral role in social change and activism. When words cannot express the full embodiment of a movement’s emotion, the creative community takes to paint and ink.
Every revolution and movement has art that has accompanied it to success. Whether it be a poster, mural, photos, or a soundtrack, artistic representations of a movement have become the popular symbols of dissent.
Creators from California and beyond share their artistic renditions of emotion that celebrate the greatness of black culture and call us to action against discrimination on behalf of people of color.
From the phenomenal to the iconic, we honor the work of these artists and pop culture trendsetters who have taken their craft to define the times and restore beauty amongst anguish.
Jessica Alen-Goix is a young artist studying at UC Davis school of design. Her passion for social justice has fueled her art as an inspiration in her clothing, painting, and even sticker design. Jessica uses her platform as an artist to promote racial equality, body positivity, and mental health. To see more of her collection find her on instagram @jessart231
One Race Clothing (UK) is a brand based on unity and fighting against racial prejudice while providing quality fashion. They pride themselves on representing positivity as they feature iconic symbols of racial justice in nearly all of their pieces. Find their entire clothing line on their website. IG @oneraceunite
Hanifa Abdul Hameed is an artistic entrepreneur with a passion for social justice. She features legendary women in the front lines of politics and culture. Hanifa designs a variety of products from canvases to phone cases. Shop Colors of Honey clothing and art on their website. IG @colorsofhoney
Franceska Gamez is a visual artist, born in Manila and raised in the Bay Area. Both cultures nurtured her identity and practice as the artist she is today. You can find her creating large-scale public murals, fully immersive installations, and detailed sculptures. Her work is characterized by an elegant blend of abstract and representational forms in which she tells stories, illuminating emotions that envelope them. You can also follow her work at @ewfrank
Kenesha Sneed is an award winning multi-disciplinary artist and Creative Director—whose work speaks to empowerment, the Black female experience, with a balance of purposeful color and forms. In this children's book, Kenesha celebrates diversity and shares a gentle message that we all have the ability to heal and create. Find more of her work on her personal website.
Illustrated with Sneed’s bold colors, graphic lines, and gestural textures, the book celebrates diversity and shares a gentle message that we all have the ability to heal and create.
@tactilematter
Jaime Jones is a Connecticut based multimedia artist. From murals to illustration and graphic design, Jaime draws beauty from her environment, even the dark parts. She celebrates diversity and individuality while leaving her mark on walls throughout her community. Find her collection on her personal website here. IG @jaimelajones
Mlle Belamour is a Laetitia freelance art director. Based in France, she celebrates Black Girl Magic in her art and brings an empowering essence to her work. You can find more of her artwork on her IG @mllebelamour