"Infinite Essence", 2019.
Category: Art
Current mood:  inspired

The photo I chose as my background for this blog is part of a series called "Infinite Essence" (2019), created by queer Nigerian-American artist Michael Owunna. I am deeply connected with the photos in this series, and here I'll explain why:


Owunna began this project in response to the large amount of viral videos in which Black men, women and children are ruthlessly murdered due to the ever-growing system of police brutality in America. We've all seen videos like this, and it's become so frequent that much of our society has grown accustomed to witnessing the murder of Black Americans. In his own words, Owunna writes, "The trope of the black body as a site of death is everywhere."


Nevertheless, the goal of this series was to demonstrate to the world that we are more than victims of racism and murder. That we are more than the subjects of gruesome deaths being broadcast to millions. That we are not merely Black bodies, but Black human beings with unique and beautiful souls. The subjects in this series are Black men and women hand-painted using fuorescent paints. They were photographed by Owunna in complete darkness, and the UV filter on his camera transformed their nude bodies into glowing celestial figures.In these photos, flesh and blood are obsolete, and we are awarded with a glimpse into the "infinite essence" of the soul. "All of our individual spirits are just one ray of the infinite essence of the sun,” Owunna explains. “By transcending the visible spectrum, I work to illuminate a world beyond our visible structures of racism, sexism, homophobia and transphobia where the Black body is free." 


Michael Owunna completed "Infinite Essence" in early 2019, and I find it both fascinating and terrifying that the police violence which inspired this project has not only continued in 2020, but has taken center-stage in all of our lives. This past month has been filled with story after story of Black men, women, and children still losing their lives to this racial epidemic, and it has taken a huge toll on my own mental health, and the mental health of many of us. This series allows us to remember that the beauty of Black souls can never be taken by bloodthirsty officers, no matter how hard they try. Being Black and Queer, I am in awe with this series, and it's my sincere hope you all can appreciate the spectacular work done by Michael Owunna to remind the world of our beauty🤎


PLEASE support Michael Owunna by viewing his project in full on his website https://www.mikaelowunna.com/infinite-essence , and please share it with anyone you think it may resonate with.