Due to the ongoing killings of black bodies at the hands of prejudicial cops and citizens no matter the activity or location, I wanted to find some kind of solution. In the similar vein of my shooting targets, I wanted to convey a way for understanding from both sides while also forming a protection against outside and unseen threats. The most immediate way to do this was to paint words

Push/Pull examines the psychological conflict that comes with growing up. As a child, I would grasp my school necktie and push it against my adam’s apple to restrict my breathing.

Black/White expresses the psychological conflict of colorism and the perception of others and oneself on what it means to be truly “Black”. While one (“Black“) embraces the idea of being darker, more agressive,“harder”, White is the perception of light skinned african americans that act “proper”.