black looks - angela tayler

These images were made with the intention of looking at black visual culture. The subjects were selected because of their work in the arts, and with attention to cultural significance and representations of self. Much of what we see is also embodied and internalized. History and cultural production, including the way individuals carry themselves, are inherently intertwined. For decades, and in many ways over time, artists have used their work to lend a voice to social and cultural oppressions, and to relay messages about themselves. This project speaks to cultural production via the framework of the arts.

By placing these individuals in similar, controlled environments, I sought to create documents of these conversations and interactions. We discussed anything from personal histories to spaces of inspiration during these sessions. We also talked about introductions to and paths within the arts, the impact of education on one’s trajectory. This work presents not only a continuation of my work with black features and intricacies, but also my introduction to the black male form and the dynamics of strength. Men are depicted in a way that plays on contrasts between toughness and softness, while the women tend to move between confidence and vulnerability.

Shot on Mamiya RZ67