Mixed Media
Photo reproduction on board, acrylic and gouache, collage
“The Universe of Ben Jones,” is a heartwarming exhibition organized by Midori Yoshimoto at New Jersey City University. The exhibition documents Ben’s childhood and his relationship with his culture. Every piece tells a story and symbolizes one of the artist's memories or values. Ben Jones is passionate about his roots and cultural history. "It’s in the World" and "Untitled" are collages in the exhibition that celebrate blackness, boyhood, and history. Unfortunately, Ben Jones didn’t get to speak on these pieces during his artist talk. While he was speaking to the class Ben made it clear most of his work has connections to his identity, race, and social justice issues.
"It’s in the World" and "Untitled" have different lines in various vibrant colors that reference energy. The lines in these pieces symbolize energy vibrating from the model. Ben Jones captures the model's aura/essence. The models' aura and symbols referencing blackness are the viewers only sources of color. The model's skin is black and white. If we look at the collages long enough, it’s easy to imagine the lines are in motion. It is clear, the model has Afrocentric facial features and is a person of color. "It’s in the World" has images of a heart slowly opening and releasing love. There is a Hershey’s wrapper on the model's stomach that says, “Special Dark”. The phrase “It’s in the World” is written across the model's chest. This collage is about embracing the models' blackness and loving who they are. Racism is still very prevalent in the United States. Anti-blackness affects the self-esteem of people of color. There is power in being a person of color that embraces their identity and cultural history. Celebrating your identity will inspire others to do the same. “The Universe of Ben Jones,” is an exhibition that will inspire people of color to love who they are. "Untitled" is a particularly beautiful collage because there is a picture of two boys on the model’s chest. The picture symbolizes our inner child and the memories we carry into adulthood. The model carries the boys close to his heart. It’s safe to assume, the model’s childhood has molded them into the adult they are today.
Ben Jones is such an important artist because he celebrates blackness, boyhood, and history. Visibility and knowledge are important for black and brown children. Shaun Leonardo has a similar effect on his students. Shaun is an artist and performer. His work explores his identity, masculinity, and sports. In Edra Soto’s article “Performance, Pedagogy, and Philosophy”, Soto interviews Shaun Leonardo about his creative process and experience as an educator. Shaun explains that simply seeing artwork motivated him to be creative, “Somehow, I don’t recall ever being dissuaded that those “masters” were all dead white men. I found myself seeing these “great artworks” and believing I could achieve that.” (Soto, 5). Shaun Leonardo understands he is an anomaly and representation is important. Most black and brown children become unmotivated when they don’t see people of color succeed. Shaun explains the importance of representation, “Especially as I grew into my path as an educator, I found it equally important to share the work of my colleagues and those artists of color that inspired me with both young folks that I identified with (meaning those that looked like me) and white kids.” (Soto, 8). People of color take in how they’re represented in the media. If there are no black and brown artists in museums, it is hard for black and brown children to visualize themselves as artists.
Shaun Leonardo also explains the importance of creating artwork about social justice issues. Art has the power to shape and move how we view the world. Shaun says, “Artists need to take in, to process, to decipher, to separate from the noise and create things that are beautiful and impactful to the spirit.” (Soto, 18).
Works Cited
Soto, Edra. “Performance, Pedagogy, and Philosophy.” Hispanic Executive, 1 July 2022, hispanicexecutive.com/shaun-leonardo/.
My picture has elements of my identity, culture, and childhood. Tarots cards, baby photos, and religion <3
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