I WON! Winner- Re-Imagining Democracy Future Art Awards - Virtual Exhibition - Black Lives Matter Design
https://mozaikphilanthropy.org/2021-exhibition/
I’m beyond thrilled and honored to win a special mention artist award in this year’s 2021 Future Art Awards by Mozaik Philanthropy!
“This year’s 2021 Future Art Awards is an arts-based exploration of the changing meanings, practices, paradoxes, and futures associated with Democracy. Welcoming a diverse range of art submissions from hundreds of artists across the United States, MOZAIK Philanthropy’s 2nd Annual Awards program drew inspiration from the top of social and environmental justice movements of the recent past, including Black Lives Matter, Stop Asian Hate, Me Too, Times Up, Keep It In The Ground, and Love Wins, among others.
The 2021 Awards celebrated the theme Re-Imagining Democracy by inviting artists of all backgrounds and creative expressions to submit their art as a commentary on the current and future state of U.S. democratic values.— MOZAIK PHILANTHROPY
MY REFLECTIONS:
Last year the world spurred on the BLM movement. It drove me nuts to see so many “South Asian / Asian / Other races” social media accounts crop up for black rights when in reality a lot of these folks don’t have black friends, don’t date outside their race, and only put up all these accounts for “likes/fame” on social media! Fame mongers capitalizing on the suffering of black people. I’m not one to judge (the way I see it, I ain’t god, I ain’t got no right to judge anyone LOL) yet it makes me so angry! Social media drives me bonkers at times!
I have a lot of wonderful African and African American friends. The continent of Africa and all its nations are a huge source of inspiration for me, I long to return! I’ve witnessed firsthand the hate/discrimination they face on a daily basis!
I’ve never understood why dark-skinned people were discriminated against in the South Asian communities I grew up in when a lot of South Asians have dark skin. “Shyam Sundar” means BLACK BEAUTY in Sanskrit another name for Lord Krishna one of the most popular deities of Hinduism! Hindu scriptures clearly state : He who is the most beautiful, whose skin glows and shines as dark as night! Goddess Mahakali is another black deity. Hindus worship BLACK GODS! So why the racism towards black people? Why discriminate against dark-skinned people? Why are Indian stores selling skin-lightening creams?? APPALLING!
I never understood why I have had only one black boss in the 20+ years I’ve worked in the world of fashion.
Once I had a black supervisor (let’s name him Chris) while I was working at a fashion label. He used to stay much later than all others, I asked him why? He said well I’m black I have to work twice as hard to get recognition. This made me so friggin angry! Here was this man who had gone to a top design school, was a brilliant designer, yet all his white coworkers got promotions (though they were less talented less educational background).
At another fashion label, I was working as a textile designer and paired with a fashion designer (let’s name him Rick) who was black. He designed a beautiful dress with my pattern that fit any body shape or size. Yet his design was constantly passed on and our white coworker’s designs were constantly chosen, though they were not designed properly! Rick’s design was innovative and fresh it FIT perfectly all body shapes, unlike white designers! At first, I thought it was my pattern, but when I was paired with a white fashion designer it was chosen. WTF? This happened multiple times, I expressed my anger to Rick who said, it’s ok because I’m black I am discriminated against! Chris & Rick were brilliant designers, their skin color should not matter, only their skill! It’s appalling and sad how racist the fashion world can be.
When I was working in the couture fashion tents, 200+ black models had to fight for 1 spot in a runway fashion show while there were 60 spots all given to white models! I don’t understand who “defines” the standard of beauty. God created all skin colors/shades they are all beautiful.
I’m sorry if you insult someone’s skin color you are insulting THE DIVINE - God is the world’s greatest designer!
It makes me angry that my male African / African friends have to constantly watch their backs and what they say/do or else they are labeled as “aggressive”. I’m appalled that my female African / African friends can’t wear what they want and be labeled as “too sexy” and constantly fetishized.
The world needs to check themselves and change their way of thinking. We have one world, one life to live, let’s live a life of inclusiveness and treat everyone with equal love and respect!
My Artist’s statement :
Reimagining Democracy: One World Together. One World Be the Change
Democracy means ALL beings are created equal under divine law and have the same equal rights. It's exactly what my faith of Hinduism teaches. The divine is the greatest designer, making the world diverse and beautiful with a multitude of races, colors, places, peoples, cultures, etc. Together we must appreciate this in peace and build a better world for future generations.
The concept behind my design :
All FAITHS (SYMBOLS OF EVERY MAJOR FAITH). ONE WORLD. WE TOGETHER STAND AGAINST RACISM.
BLACK COLOR : blacklivesmatter
RED COLOR: The color of love, passion, anger. I'm very angry about the racism in the world today. WORLD WITH FIST: Together we stand & MUST fight injustice as one world.
PRAYER HANDS: Seek the divine, be kind, be compassionate. Lend a hand to all those hurting in need. WHITE OUTLINING FIST: White supremacy we MUST fight against it.
FAITH SYMBOLS (clockwise)
OHM : Hinduism
FIRE : Zoroastrianism
HAND : Jainism
GATE : Shintoism
WHEEL : Buddhism
YIN-YANG : Taoism
KHANDA : Sikhism
STAR : Judaism
CROSS : Christianity
CRESCENT MOON & STAR: Islam
Hinduism States in Sanskrit Language :
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - THE WORLD IS ONE FAMILY
Loka Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu - LET THE ENTIRE WORLD BE HAPPY
ALL PRODUCTS WITH THIS GRAPHIC ON IT, PART OF SALES WILL BE GIVEN TO NAACP TO HELP FIGHT AGAINST RACISM AND FOR BLACK LIVES MATTER!
https://www.ihsanishan.com/shop-online?category=Black%20Lives%20Matter
