WE BE THE FEATURES

The idea of the self is formed by our experiences, through those around us, through formal and informal knowledge and through ideology that is implemented, directly and indirectly, through social norms. I am, because of you. You are, because of me. We are, because of what we've learned and have been taught. These teachings of social norms may or may not supply us with unity. They may not supply us with the understanding of our differences that may connect us, just as they may divide us. We all share similar experiences through the gaze of social norms, but we also share different experiences and ideas. These differences should not divide us. These teachings of learned behavior, based on the norms of society, should not alienate, they should not demonize, and they should not create space for destruction. And yet, these teachings, informal and formal, have created a division among us seen in forms such as racism, prejudices, sexism, homophobia, classism, misogyny, hatred of what one doesn't understand, and in you, me, them, they, us.

We Be The Features speaks for the them, they, us, the we who walk along the lines of difference, of deviance, of non-conformity in order to be free, in order to breathe, in order to find comfort within and outside the walls of society's social norms. We breathe to inspire those like us, those unlike us. We breathe to encourage creative thought and expression through the understanding of our differences and by illustrating the beauty of those differences. We breathe to circumvent the mis-education of the self. See your freedom. Understand your bondage and the unity of difference. Reclaim your past and re-imagine your future, for We Be The Features.
  
This collaborative exhibition will showcase the interdisciplinary efforts of fine arts and post-modern photographer Lee.Andrew, public figure B. Hawk Snipes, and zine editor and graphic artist Blu Mood who will launch his inaugural issue of [MAPLE:KOYO] zine.
 
 


Lee.Andrew is an artist who only wishes to create. Based in Brooklyn, NY, this Baltimore native started out as a classically trained vocalist; music was his passion. But imagery of how the notes danced on his sheet music and his struggle of communication through speech, brought insight of the world around him as notes and musical phrases, creating fine images of his surroundings. He captured these struggles as images in his head with an old yellow camera given to him from his father. Who knew that this was an unknown calling? It is now that Lee.Andrew captures speech and words, communication, understanding and knowledge through his film. This media provides him the ability to interpret the world and the people seen through his lens.
 
This project projects his fear, his love, his ability to live as a man, a black man in a society that may or may not accept him. His work confronts the idea of bondage and being free from bondage, but most importantly, the in-between of the two.
 
B. Hawk Snipes (1988, Bronx NY, United States) creates mixed media in different forms of Fashion, TV and Entertainment. By finding his inner power of sex and freedom, his mixed media artworks references an avant-garde body of modern day androgyny. His mixed media artworks are also based on formal associations, which open a unique twist within his work in front of the camera.

Public Figure, B.Hawk Snipes​ presents "The Elements" with photographer, Lee.Andrew​, with the aim not to provide an idealistic view but to identify where a combination between sexual feminine and masculine freedom and the environment are important. The energy of a place, its emotional and spiritual vibrations are also important. By choosing certain couture garments created by Designers, Toni Whittle (Wind) and Phillip-Michael Payton (Fire), he collaboratively and successfully was able to visually express the elements of nature.
 

Jermel Moody (Blu Mood) is the designer and editor of [maple:koyo] zine. It is a publication for the black and brown queer communities to expound on the nuances of blackness, to disrupt the narrative of the white gaze, and to creatively express, through the mediums of photography, journalism, poetry, graphic design and illustrations, the differences and similarities within our communities. His inaugural issue highlights the artwork of queer men of color, while carefully breaking down the norms of masculinity; these artists not only debunk the myths of black masculinity, but also redefine and reimagine gender norms in various forms. His aim is to create a platform for artists to simply “be” and feel free to create.
 
 
[maple:koyo] zine

Contributors:
Jermel Moody (Blu Mood)
Lee.Andrew
Terrell Armistead
Justin French
Zach Frater
Justin Lamarr Jones
Sergio Wonder
Paul Michael Wright
Joseph Hadley
B. Hawk
Kleaver Cruz
Laquann Dawson
Robert Jones Jr. (Son of Baldwin)
Joshua Rashaad McFadden
Steven G. Fullwood
J.A. Spradley
Teacoa Rushton
Richard Scott Brookshire III
Devin N. Morris
Andre Gee
Elliott Jerome Brown Jr.
Mohammed Fayaz (Mojuicy)
Elliott Ray Lassi Lugo
Ervin A. Johnson
WE BE THE FEATURES


#WeBeTheFeatures ~ #maplekoyo ~ #BondageandFreedom ~ #TheElements