Photography Credit: Meramera Creative
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'This is my purpose': The story behind a James Baldwin mural coming to downtown Phoenix
Elizabeth Montgomery, azcentral | Arizona Republic | USA Today Network
Mural of author/activist James Baldwin going up in downtown Phoenix
Elizabeth Montgomery, azcentral | Arizona Republic | USA Today Network
Dear Mr. Baldwin,
No piece I could have ever created could capture the full essence and power of who you were. Your light will forever illuminate the paths of Black Americans through the words you so graciously left us. As I one day, soon, embark on my own journey overseas to find a more peaceful home to make the work that is important to me, I will keep you and your words in my heart. Thank you for finding me in Paris all those months ago on that freezing Parisian morning and thank you for gracing the world with your presence. My only hope is that I made you proud.
With love,
Antoinette
(Read full blog post HERE)
Artist Statement
Phoenix Arizona native, Antoinette Cauley, uses the many depths and complexities of Black American culture to consciously explore personal and social issues in her work. Through her vibrant and unconventional portraiture, Cauley aims to engage her audience in conversations about gender inequality, burdens of growing up too fast, mental health, and racial stereotypes.
Cauley pushes the boundaries of comfortability with images of adolescence threatened by rather precocious behaviors combined with vibrant colors and clean techniques. Cauley starts with photographs of women and young girls of color, primarily from her home city of Phoenix. Then, by using the grisaille painting technique and glazing layers of color, she achieves enamoring portraits with a strong depth of field not commonly seen in acrylic work.
In result to her very deep personal connections with the depictions of her art, Antoinette is also a big advocate for giving back to the community, especially the youth; She can be found teaching painting and art theory to children and young adults weekly at several elementary schools and arts organizations in Phoenix’s underserved communities.