The tendency among mainstream and alternative art circles is to feature creative works bound to suffering, oppression and selected historical event and people.
Rhythmism seems not to make the cut. I am not usually given to the logic that being a Black Male means my output should be linked to those trauma infussed narratives. I have done it per assignments....as a major market illustrator for publishers and other clients.....but on my own. Not likely.
( To dare and succeed in conceiving and launching a genre in the Visual Arts takes the type of intellectual and cognitive action that is not in sync with what most think of being "Black" or of "African descent"! Typically "passion" or "instinct" are associated to both groups of people. Vision, Intelligence, Cognition, Imagination, and being diligent tend not to be applied. Well they belong in any real description to understand my path in this since 6th grade in 1963 when my instructor scolded me for doodling on a spelling test. When I saw those doddles on that skinny strip of paper I saw my future. I was the ooze of the viaul future-primitif. I saw RHYTHMISM! Since then I have pursued that path. )
My focus, since childhood, is to see how much I can get outta this thing I call Rhythmism. Ideas. Characters. Concepts. Content! To meet standards already set and to challenge or expand some. But not to be so derivative that it hums along some orthodox narrative. Not on my time.
This practice flows through illustration, fine Art, cartooning, art education and art therapy in mainstream institutions along with local more independent operations. I have insisted on establishing Rhythmism in major situations while reserving the space to grow, flourish and share its potential.
Here is Perfecto, Imhotep and some more. Rhythmism Lives! Its more than a Black thing!
