Afrofuturism Thrives in Philly – 5 Artists You Should Know

About the creation of the Liberty Bell within the 1750s to the world famous Philly Sound There has been a protracted history of artistic innovation in soul music of the Nineteen Sixties and Seventies an integral a part of Philly history. Today, town's thriving Afrofuturist scene continues that legacy.

“Afrofuturism” is a term coined by within the Nineteen Nineties The American cultural critic Mark Dery. Dery used the term to explain “speculative fiction that explores African American themes and addresses African American concerns in the context of 20th century technoculture.”

The aesthetic has been popularized by mainstream artists through the years, including film pioneer and “Black Panther” director Ryan Coogler and Grammy-winning music artist Missy Elliott.

Author and filmmaker Ytasha L. Womack powerfully expressed the vastness of Afrofuturism in her 2013 book: “Afrofuturism: The World of Black Science Fiction and Fantasy Culture.”

“Call it the power of the subconscious or the dominance of soul culture in cyber-pop,” Womack writes, “but this dance through time travel that Afrofuturists lived for is as much about the reclaiming of the soul as it is about to throw yourself into the distant future.” .”

As an Afrocentric scholar Professor of African American StudiesAs a hip-hop artist and Afrofuturism researcher, I witness firsthand town's growing Afrofuturist movement. I used to be inspired by Afrofuturist writers and scientists Science fiction writer Octavia Butler to other Africology professors at Temple University Reynaldo Anderson And Molefi Kete Asante.

Here are five local Philly artists whose modern aesthetics and concepts contribute to the fledgling field of Afrofuturist art.

Rasheedah Phillips and Camae Ayewa

Rasheedah Phillips, an artist and Housing law attorneyand Camae Ayewa, a poet and musician who performs as Moor Motherattended highschool in Philadelphia and graduated from the Beasley School of Law at Temple University. In 2015 they founded the Black Quantum Futurism Collectivewhich may very well be considered the artistic cornerstone of Afrofuturist art in Philadelphia.

This collective is the host various events And creative projects. On their websitePhillips and Ayewa describe their movement as “a new approach to living and experiencing reality through the manipulation of space and time to glimpse possible futures.” They mix ideas and beliefs from quantum physics and black and African cultural traditions of consciousness, time and space.

Although the Black Quantum Futurism website is less lively than in previous years, Phillips and Ayewa proceed to arrange and participate Afrofuturist events each in Philadelphia and world wide. Phillips has a brand new book: “Dismantling the Master Clock: On Race, Space and Time“The release is planned for early 2025.

Mikel Elam

Although he’s a New York transplant, figure painter and Afrofuturist visual artist Mikel Elam has grow to be an asset to Philadelphia's Afrofuturist art scene.

“I am particularly interested in Africa, which is considered by many anthropologists to be the origin of all life.” he explains. “In many ways, science, spirituality and art are essential to our cultural and intellectual development. They’re more compatible than we might think.”

In his pieces, Elam often uses cultural masks collected on his world travels, in addition to shiny metal keys. His work issued at Philadelphia International Airport combines each. The keys are positioned to reflect the flow of individuals in transit – sometimes moving in harmony, sometimes in opposite directions. Elam is uncompromisingly optimistic and in addition surrounds the heads with keys to suggest halos or auras.

Serena Saunders

Serena Saunders is a muralist, Philadelphia native, and owner and operator of Passion Art Designs LLC. She transforms partitions across Philly and beyond into futuristic visions of hope, struggle, black joy and justice.

Her images emphasize the potential for a more peaceful and just future. Her Camo collection. Includes a painting depicting a map of Africa floating above an ocean of flowing colours, including elements of the American flag. The continent appears to be dripping blood into the waters below.

A key a part of the Afrofuturist art movement is reinterpreting existing symbols in relation to Black culture and life. Saunders' “Heart” collection. comprises elements of Transhumanism – the idea that individuals should use technology to boost their minds and bodies – which is prevalent in Afrofuturist art. Images of the valuable blood-pumping organ are merged with pipes, a faucet head and even a grenade.

Saunders' murals cover dozens of partitions throughout town, including the Community clubhouse at FDR ParkThe Boys and Girls Club in GermantownAnd Philadelphia International Airport.

Sun Ra

One of the best avant-garde jazz musicians of the twentieth century, Sun Ra can also be one Afrofuturistic icon who once lived in a modest Philadelphia row house at 5626 Morton St. in Germantown.

Sun Ra led the jazz group Sun Ra Arkestra from the late Fifties until his death Death in 1993 on the age of 79. With songs like “Love in space“”Door of the cosmos“”Saturn” And “UFO“Sun Ra placed intergalactic reinterpretations of life and love at the middle of his creative expression. From his elaborate futuristic outfits to the astrological symbolism “Astro Black“He stays a big pioneer of Afrofuturist art.

In 2022, the home where he and his bandmates lived and rehearsed was built designated as a historical landmark. Although not open to the general public, it’s a reminder of the creative, resilient spirit that always exists in humble and unassuming environments, and the rationale we will consider Philadelphia, town known for it Birthplace of the United Statesalso as town of tomorrow.