Unexpectedly, I responded to Black Voices' call for photographs to be submitted for an exhibition honoring the legendary Gordon Parks.
Mr. Parks was a pioneering photographer and director whose work continues to inspire newcomers in both fields today.
Although his black and white portraits for Vogue magazine are breathtakingly beautiful, Parks is best known for his photo series for Life magazine and as director of the film Shaft. He used his camera as a weapon, shedding light on injustice and racism in a way no one had ever seen before.
Although he is not the least, I did not let myself be intimidated and simply dared to send in some of my photos. My mother always said; No you have, yes you can get and oh how glad I am that I took the chance. I am truly insanely happy that two pieces by this little girl from Suriname have been selected for the exhibition A Choice of Weapons.
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Top Locs: This photo was taken at the Bam Festival in 2009.
In a way I also use my camera as a weapon. Not only to highlight the beauty of frizzy hair but also to show how outdated the painfully deep-seated unjustified stereotypical ideas about our hair are.
These are the chosen pieces: Top Locs and Crown of locs between April 25th and May 29th, email me or stop by the gallery.
1199 SEIU Gallery
310 West 43rd Street
in New York, NY.
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Crown of Locs: This photo was taken at the African Arts Festival in 2011. It was a beautiful summer day. You can see that by the clouds.
Shakilla is now an acquaintance of mine. She always walks around beautifully styled, also does her own hair and is very proud. I spotted her for the first time in 2004. She was not very willing to be photographed. About that time she says herself: I thought I was too fabulous. Now she calls me when she has a new haircut.
For more see the Gordon Parks Exhibition Video .
See here the Photo collection for the Commemoration of Slavery Past