“The Redemption”: Artist Tawny Chatmon Celebrates The Beauty Of Black Hair Through Striking Portraits » Design You Trust — Design Daily Since 2007

“The Redemption”: Artist Tawny Chatmon Celebrates The Beauty Of Black Hair Through Striking Portraits

“Is there redemptive power in visual arts? Do artists have the ability to control and shift the narrative through their work? These are questions that inform my creative process while creating this ongoing body of work; I believe both to be true. In the same way that literature continues to be a tool for shaping the human psyche, I believe visual arts carry the same ability,” Tawny Chatmon writes.

In The Redemption, photography-based artist Tawny Chatmon (previously) celebrates the beauty of Black hair through a series of arresting portraits superimposed with 24 karat gold flourishes.

More: Tawny Chatmon, Instagram, Facebook h/t: colossal

“In the United States and abroad, the hair types and styles that are distinctively akin to Black people and culture continue to be policed and labeled as unkempt, unruly, unattractive, and unprofessional. While we proudly celebrate and adorn these styles with beads, barrettes, and other accessories within our cultural norms, they continue to be labeled unacceptable. In schools worldwide, there are rules set in place deeming cornrows, barber designs, hair beads, afros, locs, and protective styles that use hair extensions as “violations of the dress code”. “Violations” that are punishable by ridicule, suspension, exclusion from extracurricular activities, and expulsion. Still, in 2019, Black women and men are faced with similar discrimination in the workplace.”

“With this series, it is my intention to celebrate and reinforce the beauty of Black hair, features, life, and culture. These portraits are meant to act as a counter-narrative and redemptive measure to uplift and elevate Black hair, tradition, and culture freeing us from negative stereotypes. An intent, not to be confused with seeking validation, but rather an unyielding affirmation of Black beauty.”

“The painted dresses and clothing are directly inspired by the beautiful and vastly beloved works of Austrian painter Gustav Klimt, during his Golden Phase. This is intentional and I wanted the connection to be made immediately. Visually, Klimt’s use of gold and decorative elements brought about strong feelings of grace, magnificence, and beauty within me upon my first discovery of his work and have remained in my subconscious mind ever since. Likewise, these are the emotions I am looking to evoke within the viewer of The Redemption. Now that the beauty and familiarity have captured you, please take a moment to “hear” the messages embedded within.”

If you want more awesome content, subscribe to Design You Trust Facebook page.

More Inspiring Stories

This Couple Did An ’80s Themed Photo Shoot For Their 10th Anniversary

Horse Freed after Three Hours Stuck in Mud on Australian Beach

Before The Great Clean-Up Began, Here Is Another Side Of New York In The 1970s That You May Never Know

Artist Colorized Vintage Portraits Of LGBT Couples To Show Beauty And Support For The LGBTQ+ Community

The Sense Of Emotions In Fine Art Photography By Masha Sardari

Monumental Chaos

Stunning Wildlife-Winners From The 2024 Nature’s Best Photography Awards

Hobby Buddies: Ursula Sprecher And Andi Cortellini’s Weird And Wonderful Photos Of Clubs

Beautiful Landscapes Of The Speicherstadt in Hamburg, Germany By Alexander Schoenberg

Black And White Portrait Photos Of Celebrities Taken By Norman Seeff In The 1970s And 1980s

Life In Soviet Russia: Private Moments

Russian Photographer Makes Incredible Cosplay Photography You've Never Seen Before

Stunning Studio Portraits Of Nuns Taken By Thérèse Le Prat From Between The 1950s And Early 1960s

This Is What Happens When Barbie Faces The Struggles Of Living In NYC

Futuristic Deserts In Andalucia By Al Mefer

"Been on More Roofs than Santa Claus"

How Soviet Space Dreams Became A Photographer’s Inspiration

Israeli Photographer Captured Hundreds Of People... Wearing A Tiger Suit!

Fine Art And Dark Beauty Portrait Photography By Haris Nukem

Absolutely Superb Minimalist Black and White Photos Captured Winter Scenes in Japan in the 1950s and 1960s

The 'Disappearing' Beauty Of Greenland In Photographs By Albert Dros

French World War I Soldier’s Bedroom Untouched For Over 100 Years

Artists Recreate Iconic Posters of Movie Classics with Black Models

Creative photos by shmilebliK

Photographer Morgan Bodet Captures The Cold & Primal Beauty Of French Alps

Let's Enter A New World: Photography Masterpieces Of Vitas Luckus

Invisible People: Stunning Street Photography Series Inspired By A True Story

How NOT to Drive in Toronto

20 Perfect Photographs that Reveal the True Beauty of Our World in All Its Glory

Men And Women Before 10 A.M. By Veronique Vial