You’ll see the portrait of a young John Lewis, the iconic civil rights activist. From when he was a young man walking alongside Martin Luther King Jr., his dreams expanded our horizons, and he dedicated his life to bringing those horizons closer to being. Though he is no longer with us, his dreams and work stay with us as an inspiration to get into what he would call “good trouble”.

 

You can also see the curator of African Art at the High Museum in Atlanta, Lauren Tate Baeza. Simply by being in that space and role, she gives us the gift of seeing a Black woman in the such an important cultural role – extending the idea of “you can be what you can see”. That is achievement in its own right. But the reason she’s in the role is that through her work, with her skill and expertise, she is creating new spaces and visual environments for us all to live in, shaping our understanding of the world to be richer and more interesting than it was before.

 

Because ultimately it is about the future, you also see portraits of young luminaries Zoey and Nola Jones, sisters, who I have no doubt will light up our futures in ways I can’t even imagine yet.

 

The subjects are presented as hybrid forms that embrace technological advances, while prioritising our health, well-being and security. There is often a lot of fear when it comes to technology and how rapidly it is changing the world. In this moment of transformation, we have to embrace and direct technology so that it serves us. Technology is not our master, but we must master it as a tool of human advancement. In that path lies liberation.

 

Some features to highlight:

• The circuit board backdrop is a metaphorical foundation for our interconnected future.

• The bringing together of organic forms and shapes with mechanical components symbolises the crucial balance between technological advances and stewardship of our planet.

• The golden bursts echo solar energy and sustainable power sources, as well as the flourishing and prosperity we can experience when all is interconnected and working toward a shared purpose.

 

And finally, one subject featured in Melanin Machina that I haven’t yet mentioned: me. My role is creating the future is as an artist, to spark reflection and conversation, to document and to invite; to teach and to liberate. I believe that my role will be valuable and spread hope and power.

 

We all have a role to play in creating the future. What will your role be?