FRANCO: VISUAL ACTIVISM
I have been drawing since I was able to hold a crayon in my hand. My passion for art can be traced back to my love for comic books and cartoons. The type of art I create is heavily influenced by pop culture, hip hop and the civil rights movement. I have created several pieces that deal with human conditions; however, out of my art collection, there is one particular piece that stands out, “Box of Reality”. Box of Reality is a depiction of colors in harmony symbolizing unity of people from different nationalities. Those inspirations define the style, color and energy displayed in my work. Many artists before me, such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Roy Lichtenstein and Salvador Dali created a movement that existed outside the realm of traditional fine art. This realm would become the blue print that would nurture my creativity.
I consider myself a visual activist and the work I produce is visual activism. So what is visual activism? To start, activism is the emphasis on social, political, economic and environmental change, progress or transformation. The visual is referring to my urban pop art style. This style is very bold in color and heavy on the use of black lines.
I use illustrations and graphics to tell a story and to capture the attention of my viewer. At a quick glance the art seems like eye candy, but once examined closely a deeper message is revealed. Much of my work is social commentary about the triumphs and struggles of those who fought and continue to fight for equality.
The thought-provoking images I create, center around the iconic fist hair pick. During the 70’s the fist pick was associated with people of color on the frontlines fighting for freedom, justice and equality. This iconic symbol would express a non-conforming attitude, strength, solidarity and movement. The pick would define the natural style of ones hair and a revolutionary mind set.
My objective is to create a soluble dialogue so that evolving and healing can take place. In a world deeply endorsed by various forms of social injustices, I believe it is imperative to bring awareness about the many forms of social injustice, such as racial profiling, school bullying, gay bashing, human trafficking. Some of my work that focuses on racism uses colored fist picks to represent different races and groups of people in the world. Together in unity, these picks depict social change, as seen in my Letgo Racism piece.
Visual activism created the birth of the green fist pick that is seen in my work today. I decided to use the color green to symbolize a global movement focused on human rights. Through conscious and exciting art, my goal is to awaken my audience. Hopefully changing the human condition in a positive way.
To find out more about Franco visit www.francoproject.com
