Artist Statement + Photography by @bukikoshoni BATMAN / BLACKMAN - DUALITY OF EXISTENCE To identify as a black male, within a diasporan construct, is to live a life of duality. Itâs impossible, as a person of colour, to completely avoid the daily shelling of preconceived perceptions, many of us still carry the shrapnel of these encounters lodged within us. A constant balancing act of cultures and assumptions, wrestling against your true and innate nature. When I was younger, there were times I wore a mask to conceal certain aspects of self, at times this mask would slip, causing chaos amongst friends and colleagues. There is a certain relief you feel, walking into a room in which the majority of people look like you, a long exhale after an extended period of holding your breath. As I grew older and more emboldened, Oscar Wilde's advice to âbe oneself,â became a rally cry, knees scuffed, hands clasped, a daily act of worship at the altar of authenticity. Many times Iâve found myself experiencing periods of unfettered elation, as my nature and actions coalesced, a spiritual simpatico. These moments are always fleeting, butterflies and nets. Iâm on a constant journey of self, a daily battle of confidence to âbe myselfâ while simultaneously trying to âfind myself.â I have met him many times, myself that is, and I like him. Heâs self deprecating with a sharp sense of humour, an insecure boy in a man's body. These encounters are fleeting, we never seem to have enough time to really get to know each other. I arrive at his last known location, seconds too late. âHe was just hereâ they say, âyou just missed him.â Reality and perception, authenticity and bad faith, itâs where these rivers meet, that fascinates me the most. #fineart #prints #blackexcellence #diaspora #blackartists #africanart #africanartist (at London, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu33BQqgUCs/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1g58rf7ppqp2o
