"No More Blues"
"No More Blues" is a thought provoking photography art exhibit which illuminates the issues and concerns of race relations in the United States. It provides a voice, through artistry, to those impacted by inequities. The collection depicts the plight of young people during a December 2014 Art Basel event in Miami, Florida. During the event, photography was employed as a medium for social change at a peaceful protest against police brutality associated with the deaths of Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Israel Hernandez, and others. The exhibit utilizes a visual art form and artist conversation to bring an innovative narrative and contribution to the national conversation about racial equity. In the process of developing a historical portrayal of the quest for equity in the 21st century, the exhibit aims to shift the racial injustice dialogue from a problem of personal prejudices and individual acts of discrimination to the creation of systems which are equally beneficial for everyone.
Statement of Work
The current racial climate between Black and White Americans, specifically law enforcement, exudes distrust with a call for immediate action and change. Over the years, there have been nationally recognized cases where excessive force, without justifiable causation, attributed to severe injury and/or death of Black men and boys. Several officers were not indicted on criminal charges, even when there was substantial evidence presented to show gross negligence. Many of these cases have not appeared to receive fair judicial review, leaving many African Americans to question the worth of their lives and equality in this country.
Unlike the Civil Rights Movement, social media has been the catalyst to ignite global awareness, and urge individuals to participate despite of location. This powerful movement has produced peaceful protest across the country, and as far as South Korea, to take a stand for the worth and dignity of Black lives. With the new rise of Civil Rights organizations and leaders, these young adults are implementing change in innovative, bold ways to keep the conversation alive.
As a first generation Haitian American and Miami, FL native, these stories of injustices were very emotional, yet motivating. Unlike many Black men in boys in Miami, I was fortunate to go to college in Tallahassee and meet other like-minded individuals. Through Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Student Coalition for Justice, NAACP, Dream Defenders, and the Black Student Union at Florida State University, we were able to bring awareness to local and statewide injustices by facilitating marches and forced sit in’s at the Governor’s Office. These new experiences ignited a passion within me to cultivate and utilize all of my talents to bring social justice awareness. Henceforth, documenting the raw emotions of individuals demanding systematic change has birthed a new component to my photographic repertoire.
The most popular social justice group seen on social media and national news is the Dream Defenders, led by Philip Agnew. When informed about the protest being organized in Miami, I did not hesitate to use my scope of influence to bring awareness through photography. No More Blues, is a compilation of images from the I-95 peaceful protest, and makes an important contribution to the dialogue of Black lives having value. More importantly, this exhibition captures the zeal, tenacity, and fearlessness of young individuals conveying a message of urgent change and action.
“The visual arts is often a medium used for social awareness and change. As an artist I feel like it is my obligation to do as those that came before me. Such as the first Black photographer, Gordon Parks did during the civil rights movement, as will I give voice to the people through my artistry. The exhibition "No More Blue" exhibition seeks to bring the social issues of police brutally and the inherent bias of the justice system to the forefront with imagery from the BlackLivesMatter movement.” - Cendino Temé
No More Blues Features
- Permanent Collection of the Black Archives History & Research Foundation of South Florida
- Featured Exhibition in Art Basel “Art of Black” Exhibition Series 2015
- Featured Exhibition at the Art Basel “Black Art Experience” in 2017
- Traveling Exhibition & Campus Leadership conversations
- Features on CBS, ABC and NBC
- Featured in South Florida Times, Rolling Out Magazine and Miami Herald
More Images From "No More Blues"
For More Info:
info@cendinoteme.com
Credits:
Cendino Temé