"Afro Portraitism" as the New Black Art Movement

Artist and curator Hamed Maiye is using his project, Afro-Portraitism to explore the art of portraiture and appropriation within the African diaspora. His definition:

"Afro-Portraitism is an act of self representation rooted within afro culture. A visual and literary artistic movement."

In other words; how can we portray ourselves in Afro diaspora cultures and how can it be explored in different mediums. Hamed started with a series of paintings and has now developed into a visual presentation in different mediums, working together with several photographers, designers and directors from the African diaspora.

Double consciousness

An interesting part of the series is titled "Transmission/Transition" and it portrays the imagined arrival of diaspora in the same way Christopher Columbus was portrayed during his arrival in the Americas. He uses the concept of "the double consciousness" by W.E.B. Du Bois, the author of "The Souls of Black Folk" where the the main character struggles with reconciling his African heritage with his Eurocentric upbringing and surroundings. Sounds like a familiar concept doesn't it ;).

This particular series somehow reminds me of the movie "Daughters of the Dust" with the setting on the beach, the costumes, the beginning of a new life on new land and the strong sense of dignity that these beautiful people radiate. See how representation works? 
(📸 by Nwaka Okparaeke)

Bio

"Hamed Maiye is a multidisciplinary artist and curator based in London that uses portraiture as a means of expressing emotional identity and heritage. Maiye founded the arts movement ‘Afro-Portraitism’ which documents the multifaceted image of the contemporary youth of the Afro-Caribbean diaspora whilst exploring the concept of self representation. One of the key drivers in Maiye’s collaborative practice is the introduction of new personal narratives and creating visibility for those who are often marginalised."

Source: https://www.maiye.co.uk/about