Colossal Media
A BADG PUBLIC PROGRAMMING PROJECT
We Are Thinkers. We Are Creators. We Are Storytellers.
Published on January 27, 2021 by BADG
A prominent pair of public murals in LA and NYC rooted in visibility, safety and truth.
Representation in the arts matters because it helps to reinforce models of success for emerging and current Black artists, makers, and designers. It provides creatives with role models in respective fields. Seeing more faces that look like yours succeed illuminates not a path, but possibility. Colossal Media came to BADG with an idea - they had access and control of public art locations, typically occupied by white artists. In our work with them, we matchmade the perfect talent fit with Guild Maker Karen J. Revis, a painter, printmaker and patternmaker.
The result is Colossal’s Represent: Black Arts, the first iteration in a series of public artworks, spotlighting original works by artists from underrepresented communities.
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I want these young men to be protected, so I gave them names of what I wish for all Black men: MMUSUYIDEE means “that which removes bad luck,”and is a symbol of good fortune and sanctity; FIHANKRA is a house or compound and a symbol of security and safety typically found in Akan (Asante) architecture.
KAREN J. REVIS
Bold, public displays of proud black men in our society are few and far between, let alone those created and captured by female, black artists. Our work with Colossal Media provided a platform for one of our Makers to nudge people folks into expecting more.
MMUSUYIDEE | The Ridge Hotel
The Ridge Hotel, New York, NY
FIHANKRA | Los Angeles, CA
Makers Involved
Further Reading
Karen J. Revis
Painter, Printmaker + Patternmaker
Colossal Media:
Represent: Black Arts
