The photo https://whitney.org/collection/works/64301
Ming Smith has photographed everyday Black life and cultural icons such as James Baldwin, Tina Turner, Nina Simone, and Grace Jones. First female African American photographer to have her work in MOMA and various other museums across the US in 1978
The duality of the photo through mirroring speaks volumes to be about race in America at the time, that there stands an African American wrapped the in the Stars and Stripes but in some way truly invisible to the environment around him, I see the mirror and even the accessory of the glasses as a literal reflection of how different the world sees someone to how they see the world around them, Smith also plays with black and whites throughout the photo in particular the white suit the man is wearing which could have many interpretations. This photo is also the embodiment of black empowerment as mentioned in previous readings as Smith and other black creatives seek to carve out and curate their own artistic community known as the Kamoinge with a goal to impact art and elevate black voices, and courageously display a truer America. This was not to make a political statement but seen as a cultural necessity. They seek to inspire and their standards were high.
Kamoinge means a group of people acting together derived from a Kenyan dialect. Write a discussion
