“Worst Case Scenario”:
A Tribute to “This Is America”
Artists Angela Kwon and Zharia Shinn wanted to do a collaboration where they could incorporate both of their styles into a piece before graduating from Rhode Island School of Design. Their criteria included creating an artwork that was large scale, graphic, and embodied a subject matter they were both passionate about. Although Kwon and Shinn’s individual creative focuses differ, their styles harmonize in ways they did not initially expect.
The RISD students grew up and experienced life differently. Being people of color who were exposed to racism and bigotry in America, pieces of “This Is America” meant different things for both of them. As a Korean woman from Atlanta, Georgia, Angela Kwon witnessed a handful of discrimination and prejudice amongst her community, especially in parts where violence is prevalent. She feared for the lives of her friends and family knowing society currently struggles with turning a blind eye towards hate crimes. Kwon was exposed to racism and the struggles placed on her, as well as other minorities. Empathy and understanding has been a large part of her interest in the prevailing empowerment of the black community and other people of color. Zharia Shinn, an African-American woman from Southern California, experienced stereotypes of the black community that were projected onto her, which shaped and framed the way she saw herself. Surrounded by a majority of white people and spaces most of her life, she was nitpicked for her differences and grew to become insecure of her culture and background. She witnessed aspects of her culture appropriated and praised that were deemed ugly and distasteful on her. “This Is America” enforced the crazed phenomenon that she witnessed most of her life which shed light on the “schizophrenic” identity of living as a black person in America.
The “Worst Case Scenario” Show gave Angela and Zharia an opportunity to collage imagery of Glover’s music video in ways that were outside of the box with a linear narrative. The collaboration was not one of leisure but used as an outlet of harbored opinions, pains, and reflection on current tragedies. There is a deeper meaning to each detail of the mural where the audience can reflect on their chosen message and take a piece of the work for themselves to brew on. Their project is emulating something that Donald Glover has boldly kept a light on. He parodies on the phenomenon of America observing tragedy, but not facing the root issue and instead becoming distracted by pop culture, “desirable” aspects of black culture etc.
For more information, go to everytownresearch.org and blacklivesmatter.com.
The RISD students grew up and experienced life differently. Being people of color who were exposed to racism and bigotry in America, pieces of “This Is America” meant different things for both of them. As a Korean woman from Atlanta, Georgia, Angela Kwon witnessed a handful of discrimination and prejudice amongst her community, especially in parts where violence is prevalent. She feared for the lives of her friends and family knowing society currently struggles with turning a blind eye towards hate crimes. Kwon was exposed to racism and the struggles placed on her, as well as other minorities. Empathy and understanding has been a large part of her interest in the prevailing empowerment of the black community and other people of color. Zharia Shinn, an African-American woman from Southern California, experienced stereotypes of the black community that were projected onto her, which shaped and framed the way she saw herself. Surrounded by a majority of white people and spaces most of her life, she was nitpicked for her differences and grew to become insecure of her culture and background. She witnessed aspects of her culture appropriated and praised that were deemed ugly and distasteful on her. “This Is America” enforced the crazed phenomenon that she witnessed most of her life which shed light on the “schizophrenic” identity of living as a black person in America.
The “Worst Case Scenario” Show gave Angela and Zharia an opportunity to collage imagery of Glover’s music video in ways that were outside of the box with a linear narrative. The collaboration was not one of leisure but used as an outlet of harbored opinions, pains, and reflection on current tragedies. There is a deeper meaning to each detail of the mural where the audience can reflect on their chosen message and take a piece of the work for themselves to brew on. Their project is emulating something that Donald Glover has boldly kept a light on. He parodies on the phenomenon of America observing tragedy, but not facing the root issue and instead becoming distracted by pop culture, “desirable” aspects of black culture etc.
For more information, go to everytownresearch.org and blacklivesmatter.com.
Angela Kwon:
Angela Kwon is a creative from Atlanta but graduated from Rhode Island School of Design. Kwon likes to consider herself as a "jack of all trades,” with a wide set of skills under her belt and hidden tricks up my sleeves. During her free time, she enjoy picking up new hobbies and skills (at least try to) via YouTube tutorials whether its tattooing, screen printing, or just whipping up a mean omelette. For business inquires, contact Kwon at akwon@alumni.risd.edu. Social Media/ Email: Instagram: @kwonscious Website: www.kwonsciousart.com Email: akwon@alumni.risd.edu |
Zharia Shinn:
Zharia Shinn is exploring the distortion of pre-existing visual aesthetics used to depict people of color in her paper and fabric portraits. The portraits merge an internal conversation between stereotypical narratives and realistic depictions. She is interested in broadening the context of conversation that surrounds the visual representation of black men and women through the use of an array of mediums such as, but not limited to; fabric, printed posters, paint swatches, and magazines. The 80’s, Afropunk, Afrofuturism, fashion, dance, and black culture all foster her creative process. Kehinde Wiley, Mickalene Thomas, Euan uglow, and Njideka akunyili crosby are just a few artistic influences of Zharia Shinn’s work, where she expands on creating a new context for her psychological portraits. Social Media / Email: Instagram: @zhariart Website: zhariashinn.com Linkedin: Zharia Shinn Email: zhariart@gmail.com |
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