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Artists who are using their work to help the #blacklivesmatter movement

Artists who are using their work to help the #blacklivesmatter movement

Here we share a handful of beautiful pieces we have seen.
Around the Globe 18 Jun 2020

In response to the Black Lives Matter movement artists around the world have been using their creativity to articulate the range of feelings at the very heart of the movement by making and sharing their art. Channeling their energy to bring awareness to the inequality and lives unfairly and prematurely lost in a range of medias, from murals by emerging young artists to weaved portraits to pieces by well-known artists such as Banksy.

On top of using their art works to spread awareness, creatives have been helping the cause in various other ways – from print sales raising funds, to new campaigns, initiatives and grants.

It is most likely you have seen many of the powerful images shared across social media with the hashtag #blacklivesmatter, on the front cover of magazines, or even used as signs in protests globally.

Here we share a handful of beautiful pieces we have seen.

Titus Kaphar for the front cover of Time Magazine

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In his new work Analogous Colors, the artist Titus Kaphar depicts an African-American mother holding her child. To complete the work, Kaphar cut out the canvas to show a mother's loss: Floyd called out to his deceased mother during the 8 minutes and 46 seconds he was pinned to the ground by a Minneapolis police officer. "In her expression, I see the black mothers who are unseen, and rendered helpless in this fury against their babies," writes Kaphar. For the first time, the red border of TIME includes the names of people: 35 black men and women whose deaths, in many cases by police, were the result of systemic racism and helped fuel the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement. Their names are merely a fraction of the many more who have lost their lives because of the racist violence that has been part of this nation from its start. Their names are Trayvon Martin • Yvette Smith • Eric Garner • Michael Brown • Laquan McDonald • Tanisha Anderson • Akai Gurley • Tamir Rice • Jerame Reid • Natasha McKenna • Eric Harris • Walter Scott • Freddie Gray • William Chapman • Sandra Bland • Darrius Stewart • Samuel DuBose • Janet Wilson • Calin Roquemore • Alton Sterling • Philando Castile • Joseph Mann • Terence Crutcher • Chad Robertson • Jordan Edwards • Aaron Bailey • Stephon Clark • Danny Ray Thomas • Antwon Rose • Botham Jean • Atatiana Jefferson • Michael Dean • Ahmaud Arbery • Breonna Taylor • and George Floyd. Read more behind the cover at the link in bio. Painting by Titus Kaphar for TIME

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Raphael Adjetey Adjei Mayne’s portrait of George Floyd in collaboration with Blank White Space.

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Repost @blank_white_space I understand the rage. And the ensuing protests. But after the initial sense of hopelessness, I stand as I always do; Let’s use art to heal 🖤 l’m proud to announce that the incredible artist @raphaeladjeteyadjeimayne felt moved to use his talents to create a portrait of #georgeflody, in collaboration with @blank_white_space 🖤 . . A limited-edition of 50 prints all proceeds are split between the artist and George Floyd’s family. (Link in bio). . HAS TO STOP by #afutumix. . Red and black African wax print to mourn loss and celebrate life. Acrylic paint on canvas, 55 X 85 CM signed. Unframed. Starting at £150. . . #art #artforchange #blackvoices #africanamerican #love #blacklivesmatter #georgeflody #blackart #africanartists #justiceforgeorgefloyd #curator #contemporaryart #portrait #queer #raphaeladjeteyadjeimayne #hope #artparis #newyork #kunst #museum #artgallery #artcollector #contemporaryartcollector #accra #change #fashion #streetart

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Reyna Noriega

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My art looks like this, because my reality looks like 👉🏽 (swipe) I’m very sensitive to the woes of the world. Hunger, homelessness, abuse, assault, i feel it all so deeply i needed a way to create more of what i imagined, more of what would uplift me and other Black women and remind them that although they aren’t represented nearly enough in galleries, in media, in leadership we matter. We are worthy and strong and vibrant. I didn’t want to add to the constant trauma we endure by immortalizing it with my art. Instead i wanted to add color, fun, freedom. The world is bleeding. We have a gaping hole that can’t be filled with anymore bandaids. We need to confront this issue head on. Reimagine our communities, how we show up and how we keep our people safe. No more excuses. No more putting people over property. Enough is enough. #blacklivesmatter #blackartist #illustration #procreate #ipadpro

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Miriam Mosqueda

Shirien Damra

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What is happening across this nation is a rebellion. An uprising for life and dignity. A groundswell that demands justice for the 400+ years of systemic oppression Black people in this country have continually been subjected to. As I see people rise up from coast to coast, in the midst of a global pandemic, I am inspired and awed that people are taking the streets, unafraid and courageously, demanding a world where Black folks no longer have to fear for their lives and where Black communities can thrive. For my non-Black followers, this is a moment where we must show up fully and wholeheartedly for the Black struggle for liberation. As revolutionary Black feminist Angela Davis says, “you have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all the time.” And what does radical transformation look like? It starts with following the lead of Black organizers and leaders and heeding their demands. One thing you can do right now is follow @mvmnt4blklives and learn more about how you can plug into their #DefundPolice campaign. You can also donate to incredible Black-led organizations like @thedreamdefenders, @byp100, @assatasdaughtersig , and @Law4BlackLives who are doing the work to root out systematic racism and oppression. And remember to continue to rise for justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Laquan McDonald, Sandra Bland and the countless others who have been killed at the hands of police murder and white supremacist violence. We cannot be free until we are all free. I am wishing you all safety and wellness during this heavy time. Much love ♥️✊🏽 #BlackLivesMatter #DefendBlackLife

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Adrian Brandon

Banksy

Diedrick Brackens

JR

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Adama Traoré x George Floyd — Hommage des étudiants de @ecolekourtrajme @ladjly — « Avec en avant plan les marques au sol qui étaient à l’endroit exact ou George Floyd est mort à Minneapolis peint par l’artiste @__zenith______ , l’oeil d’Adama Traoré et celui de George Floyd regardent vers l’horizon, dans des directions différentes … Il n’est pas question de confondre la France avec les Etats-Unis. Tout y est différent : violence, police, justice, prisons, etc. Mais, en France, comme aux États-Unis, et dans de nombreux autres pays, les noirs sont victimes de racisme et de discriminations. Ensemble, nous devons changer les choses. » Collage Paris 10Eme au 15 rue Jan Karski Adama Traoré x George Floyd — Tribute by the students of @ecolekourtrajme @ladjly — « On a foreground bearing the marks on the floor of the place where Georges Floyd died in Minneapolis designed by the artist @__zenith______ , the eye of Adam Traoré and the eye of George Floyd are looking at the horizon. Things are different in France and in the US : violence, police, justice, prisons, etc. But in France, like in the US and in many other countries, Blacks are too often victims of racism and discriminations. Together, we must change that. » Pasting Paris 10, at 15 rue Jan Karski additional photos by @baptistelignel @aguirre_schwarz

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Nikkolas Smith

Takashi Murakami

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Takashi Murakami for #BLM I have said that a role of an artist is to discern the present and express it for the future audience. But if my art can effect any change here and now, I want to contribute it not only to give back but to give power to the Black community plagued by the racial injustice. And so I decided to produce a series of prints for sale, to donate the entire proceeds to the U.S. organizations fighting for social justice and racial equality. In order to get directly engaged in the movement that is taking place in America, I asked @NTWRK to be my partner for the project. I will be releasing six black prints featuring my quintessential flower and skull designs, each edition of 300, through @NTWRK. Each print will be silkscreened and I will finish the individual work with spray paint. I am in discussion with NTWRK to arrange for 100% of the sales to go to various organizations dedicated to changing the systems oppressing the Black community, including @blklivesmatter, @eji_org, and @colorofchange. Additional details on the release of the print collection, including pricing and launch date, will be announced in the coming weeks. (The images shown here are the design mockups created digitally.) #blacklivesmatter

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Kadir Nelson

Sara Shakeel

Michael J Hentz

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#blacklivesmatter #defundthepolice

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Cate Young

Grace Owen

Jammie Holmes

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Last weekend, I initiated a public demonstration in response to the recent murder of #GeorgeFloyd. Airplanes with banners presenting Floyd’s final words extended across five cities. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ Today, I am pleased to announce "EVERYTHING HURTS.” a digital exhibition with @DallasContemporary, launching June 16, that will amplify and build upon this initiative and message with a digital exhibition and community message board. The exhibition is supported by @LibraryStreetCollective.⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ There will be free programming, including online discussions and resources to inspire real action against systemic racism, inviting the North Texas community into this necessary conversation. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ #JammieHolmes #JHolmes #DallasContemporary #LibraryStreetCollective⁠⠀ Pictured: They’re Going to Kill Me (Los Angeles), 2020. Photo by @inafleshsuit.

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Patrick Matinez

##blacklivesmatter ##blmart #Black Lives Matter #BLM

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