THE WAIT WE CARRY
The Wait We Carry is a collection of photo based images inspired by the layered and complicated experience of ‘Being Black in America’. This collection is a recognition of thoughts, mantras, realities and conflicts that exist in our hearts and minds regularly. Though this work thematically fits comfortably with and may compliment my previous work it was definitely influenced by the Black Lives Matters Movement, George Floyd, Covid-19 and exudes more pain and frustration than previous works. I also employed some different techniques to achieve this desired aesthetic. Double exposures, layers, selective color and typography were all used to create these visual narratives. Each piece carries its own story that wrestles with its own conflict, reality and solutions.
Throughout the years, Black people have frequently been told to WAIT; time’s are changing, all you have to do is WAIT, it takes time for these things to happen, just WAIT, but the “WAITING” has tremendous “WEIGHT” and that WEIGHT is HEAVY. It’s a weight and heaviness that we’ve been carrying for 100’s of years and continue to pass on to the next generation, essentially passing the weight/wait on to our children.
ONLY THE BLIND, 2022
Chicago, IL // USA
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50.8cm x 76.2 cm
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30x45
76.2cm x 114.3cm
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40in x 60in
101.6cm x 152.4cm
Limited Edition of 3
Photographers Notes: I had the idea of young people imagining their ideal life and enjoying the future they see for themselves. A movie of their future life that is exciting, entertaining and fulfilling… hence the popcorn and body language… like she’s locked in and hooked with what’s next.
Sometimes you must also blind yourself to your circumstances in order for find your way out the mud or through the forest.
SECOND THOUGHTS, 2022
Chicago, IL // USA
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314 GSM / 100% Cotton Base
Epson Acid-Free Legacy Platine Paper
Epson UltraChrome HD Archival Pigment Ink
20in x 30in
50.8cm x 76.2 cm
Limited Edition of 25
30in x 45in
76.2cm x 114.3cm
Limited Edition of 7
40in x 60in
101.6cm x 152.4cm
Limited Edition of 7
'“From the perspective of ‘Being Black in America’ I’m in conflict with what should happen vs. what could happen and that petrifies me”.
Photographers Notes: This one is more of a recognition of a feeling. I wanted to play on the number two; thinking twice with the two brothers, that feel like twins, and the confusion that ensues when you question and allow ‘second thoughts’ engulf you to the point of being frozen and not taking ANY action, not making ANY decision and ultimately becoming petrified. I think I had a little bit of that recently to be honest. I think this happens in our families and communities all of the time. We question ourselves to the point of petrification.
It reminds me of what could happen if we don’t vigorously arm our children with love and build up their self esteem and confidence, especially within the context of their ‘Blackness’ and their rightful place in this world.
POINT AND SHOOT, 2023
Chicago, IL // USA
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314 GSM / 100% Cotton Base
Epson Acid-Free Legacy Platine Paper
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20in x 27.5in
50.8cm x 76.2 cm
Limited Edition of 25
30in x 41.25in
76.2cm x 114.3cm
Limited Edition of 7
40in x 55in
101.6cm x 139.7cm
Limited Edition of 3
“It feels like there is a target on our backs. America has demonstrated that they can show restraint and apprehend offenders that have committed major crimes, mass shootings, etc. where the culprit is arrested and relatively unharmed, but when the suspect is Black it feels as though all someone has to do is POINT and Shots are being fired… where the “being Black” part is the actual unforgivable, death sentence crime and not the merits of the violation.”
Photographers Notes: I wanted the TARGET to really stand out and used selective color to make it POP. The number of of arrows symbolize the intentionality of the shots being fired. The hoodie references Trayvon Martin and the “hoodie profiling” that was brought to light. And the heaviness that’s present when feel like you’re targeted.
HEAVY WAIT CHAMP, 2023
Chicago, IL // USA
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314 GSM / 100% Cotton Base
Epson Acid-Free Legacy Platine Paper
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20in. x 30in.
50.8cm x 76.2 cm
Limited Edition of 25
30x45
76.2cm x 114.3cm
Limited Edition of 7
40in x 60in
101.6cm x 152.4cm
Limited Edition of 3
“I feel like everyday is a fight and I must be prepared to protect and defend my family”
Photographers Note: I loved the headgear on this one. Sometimes the fight feels like it will last forever. Its exhausting but the fight must be fought regardless
KING DOM, 2022
Chicago, IL // USA
Limited Edition
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314 GSM / 100% Cotton Base
Epson Acid-Free Legacy Platine Paper
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20in. x 30in.
50.8cm x 76.2 cm
Limited Edition of 25
30x45
76.2cm x 114.3cm
Limited Edition of 7
40in x 60in
101.6cm x 152.4cm
Limited Edition of 3
“If we are to raise Kings and build Kingdoms we must breathe that focus into our children. We must protect them and strengthen their resolve for if they ascend to the crown we must prepare them to carry the burden for the pressure to be King is often instigated by his own people / family.
Photographers Notes: This photo aims to show the kind of FOCUS one must have to be King. The young man wears blinders as a horse would so that they aren’t distracted. The actual “blinder” is the King of Spades which references the journey he is on. The slumping posture speaks to the weight such a title carries, especially on a young person.
The young man’s name featured in this photograph just so happens to be Dominick and I thought that the portion of the LORD’s prayer “Till Kingdom Comes / Until King Dom Comes” was appropriate and a play on words that fit perfectly. It’s like “waiting for King Dom to rule” / excited for our child to lead and represent our family in its next chapter and to fulfill the dreams we’ve left unrealized.
DON’T JUST SURVIVE, 2023
Chicago, IL // USA
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62.83 in Circumference
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30in Circle
94.24in Circumference
Limited Edition of 7 // ONLY 2 AVAILABLE
40in Circle
125.66in Circumference
Limited Edition of 3 // SOLD OUT
“Don’t Just Survive” speaks to an attitude one can adopt when faced with adversity. It’s a personal Mantra I use to propel myself through tough situations.
In the midst of feeling unprotected, attacked or victimized we don’t have to settle for mere survival. The piece reminds us to THRIVE in everything within our per-view; to do our best and not just allow the circumstances to affect us. We can affect the circumstances and manifest greatness and create better outcomes.
The series “The Wait We Carry” speaks to the experience of Black People in America and how being told to “wait” for freedom, equality, opportunities etc has affected us for generations and generations.
“Don’t Just Survive” is a story of perseverance; not allowing our story to be written for us. Thriving in the moment means picking up the pen and rewriting what happens next. It means taking control of our own narrative. It means taking some ownership in how our story is lived, told and remembered.
NOW I LAY, 2022
Chicago, IL // USA
Limited Edition
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314 GSM / 100% Cotton Base
Epson Acid-Free Legacy Platine Paper
Epson UltraChrome HD Archival Pigment Ink
20in Circle
62.83in Circumference
Limited Edition of 25
30in Circle
94.24in Circumference
Limited Edition of 7
40in Circle
125.66in Circumference
Limited Edition of 3
“Breonna Taylor. Remember Her Name.
Every time my eyes close and my body calms and I await my slumber it is often with the expectation that I will wake to experience another day with my loved ones.. But to know that it’s a possibility that I may not wake up, because I’ve been shot, several times, by the POLICE, when I’ve committed no crime, caused no harm and my killers never feel the firm hand of justice, is a heavy heavy weight that affects me, DAILY.”
Photographers Notes: I chose to write on the helmet to signify the thoughts that are present day in and day out, and how those thoughts are both ‘in memory of’ as well as a ‘warning’ of what our society has accepted and allowed to happen. The title “Now I Lay…” references the bedtime prayer and the conditions in which Breonna lost her life. A common prayer juxtaposed against a tragedy.
THE WAIT WE CARRY, 2022
Chicago, IL // USA
Limited Edition
Signed & Numbered
Epson Premium Luster & Legacy Platine Paper
Epson UltraChrome HD Archival Pigment Ink
20in. x 30in. // SOLD OUT
50.8cm x 76.2cm
30in x 45in
76.2cm x 114.3cm
Limited Edition of 7 // ONLY 1 AVAILABLE
40in x 60in
101.6cm x 152.4cm
Limited Edition of 3 // ONLY 2 AVAILABLE
“I feel like our children take on the burden of the inequities in our society. We do our best to protect them as they trek through life but also pass on to them a heaviness a child shouldn’t have to wear.”
Photographers Notes: In this particular piece I wanted to reference the idea of the military, marching through life, war zones. The helmet representing armor or “Personal Protection Equipment” and the duffle bag referencing the “wait / weight” we’ve passed on to our children. I was thinking about soldiers walking through the countryside fighting a battle or war that they didn’t instigate yet have to pay the price for.