My name is Aminta Malcolm, I’m 17 and I’m American. I am a painter; my preferred medium is acrylics and collaging.
This piece is an abstract, exaggerated self-portrait, made with acrylic paint and paint markers. The character in the portrait is not only meant to represent me, but everyone that looks like me. I didn’t have much of an idea when I created this piece all I knew was that I wanted to express my feelings. The tears are in grief of every black brother and sister that has lost their life unjustly due to a system that has failed them. I chose to use blue and red as an homage to the flashing lights used by law enforcement, like she is there watching. Despite the tears, she is smiling, not because she is happy, but because everyone tells her to.
With the recent upset about the state of America’s horribly racist system, like many others, I am horrified, upset, and looking for every way to help and excite change. Painting is the way I express my emotions especially when I can’t put them into words. As a person of color, I know that the world will always see me as black, mixed, but the color of my skin and the texture of my hair isn’t close to the most interesting thing about me. Basically, don’t judge a book by its cover, everyone is human.
This is an important subject to me because as a person of color the issue affects my life and my family’s lives. Even though a painting isn’t going to change or resolve the conflict, it’s a coping mechanism. This isn’t an issue about politics and it never was, it’s an issue of human rights. Anyone that cannot see that is willingly ignorant.
If you are able, please consider donating to The Bail Project to show support for Aminta and the cause she is fighting for.
DONATE HERE: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/the-bail-project
If you would like to see more talented artists like Aminta, please consider donating to Art For Activism.
DONATE HERE: https://www.gofundme.com/f/afa-debut?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link-tip&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet
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