BLACK SNAFU (Situation Niggas: All Fucked Up) – André Ramos-Woodard

previous arrow
next arrow
Full screenExit full screen
previous arrownext arrow
Slider

Artist Statement:

I’ve been told plenty of times that in order to understand the present, I’ve got to know the history. I find that funny as a Black person born and raised in America. It’s not that I disagree, it’s just that I know that my history on this land—Black history—has been distorted and fucked-up to perpetuate the racist repercussions of European colonialism and white privilege in this godforsaken country.

Anti-Blackness at the hands of racist America seems inescapable no matter what context I place it into; literature, science, government, health, art… look into any “field” and see for yourself. My people have had to cry, scream, and fight for respect throughout all these fields of study for centuries, and we still haven’t gained the respect we deserve. Even in the visual arts, the field I’ve chosen to dedicate my life to, the history of racism against Black people runs rampant. To move on from this shit, we must acknowledge the many ways that this country has implemented a racial hierarchy since these lands were first colonized and stripped from indigenous peoples, and Black people were stolen from their native land and brought here.

BLACK SNAFU (Situation Niggas: All Fucked Up), gets its name from “Private Snafu”, a series of cartoon shorts made in the 1940s by Warner Bros. in the hopes of educating American WWII soldiers about military and warfare tactics. In BLACK SNAFU, I appropriate various depictions of Black people that I find throughout the history of American cartooning and beyond—from the 20th century racist characters in Don Raye’s “Scrub Me Mama with a Boogie Beat” to more contemporary, uplifting, and pro-Black characters like Huey and Riley Freeman from Aaron McGruder’s “The Boondocks”—and juxtapose them with photographs that line up more authentically with a (my) Black experience. These photographs are made by my hand and come from my camera, allowing me to fight back against the historical racist tropes I reference with my own authentic Blackness. By combining these ambivalent visual languages, I intend to expose to viewers America’s deplorable connection to anti-Black tropes through pop-culture while simultaneously celebrating the reality of what it means to be Black.

Artist Bio:

Raised in the Southern states of Tennessee and Texas, André Ramos-Woodard (they/ them/ he/ him) is a contemporary artist who uses their work to emphasize the experiences of the underrepresented: celebrating the experience of marginalized peoples while accenting the repercussions of contemporary and historical discrimination. Working in a variety of media—including photography, text, and illustration—Ramos-Woodard creates collages that convey ideas of communal and personal identity centralized within internal conflicts. They are influenced by their direct experience with life as being queer and African American, both of which are obvious targets for discrimination. Focusing on Black liberation, queer justice, and the reality of mental health, Ramos-Woodard works to amplify repressed voices and bring power to the people. Ramos-Woodard received their BFA from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, and their MFA at The University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

You can read a review of the exhibition by Emily Owens here

Exhibition photos courtesy of Amanda Tipton Photography

PITIT TIG – CHILDREN OF TIGERS

previous arrow
next arrow
Full screenExit full screen
previous arrownext arrow
Slider

Photo Credit: Amanda Tipton Photography

Viktor El-Saieh is available for private tours of the exhibition on Wednesdays and Sundays between Noon and 4pm. If you would like a private tour with Viktor, please reserve your appointment during his available hours, and send us an email at ifoundleon@gmail.com requesting that Viktor be present. Please request Viktor’s presence at least 24 hours in advance of your appointment.

Rénee Marino’s exhibition review, which appears on Daria Art Magazine’s website, can be viewed here.

Tai Bickham at MCA Denver interviewed Viktor for their blog. You can read the interview here.

You can read an exhibition review by Yvens Alex Saintil here.

You can also read an exhibition review by Aldof Alzuphar here.

Pitit Tig / Children of Tigers is an introduction to contemporary Haitian art for the Denver, Colorado community. This group exhibition draws on the richness of Haitian history, spirituality and language to form a sample for those who are less familiar, and a reminder for those who are already acquainted.

Featuring the work of Lissa Jeannot, Herold Pierre-Louis, Marithou, Hugue Joseph, Jacky Charles, Wildaine Charles, Ferret Charles, Mme Moreau, Viktor El-Saieh and Pierre LouisPitit Tig / Children of Tigers is a multi-generational project which includes mentors, siblings, masters, disciples, offspring and grandchildren (among others) of individuals who’ve made and continue to make a major impact in the world of Haitian art. The children of tigers are facilitators, teachers, leaders, helpers, and, most importantly; revolutionaries.

“By creating a society in which all people, of all colors, were granted freedom and citizenship, the Haitian Revolution forever transformed the world. It was a central part of the destruction of slavery in the Americas, and therefore a crucial moment in the history of democracy, one that laid the foundation for the continuing struggles for human rights everywhere. In this sense we are all descendants of the Haitian Revolution, and responsible to these ancestors.”

A mixture of wooden and ceramic sculpture, textile works, paintings and drawing will give those interested a window into the universe of contemporary Haitian art; a universe which holds within it many worlds — each with its own unique symbols, characters and messages — woven together carefully by artists whose personal vision is always buoyed by a shared history of overcoming impossible odds.

This exhibition is ultimately an invitation to share in the sublime glory and captivating beauty of art produced by individuals with deep connections to a specific place; the land of many mountains — where the Children of Tigers battle and find solace.


Viktor El-Saieh was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and raised in Miami, Florida. He holds a BA in International Affairs from Florida International University (FIU), and an MA in Teaching Secondary Social Studies from the University of Colorado (CU). El-Saieh’s work has been exhibited at Locust Projects, Miami; David Castillo Gallery, Miami; Central Fine, Miami Beach; and El-Saieh Gallery, Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, among other venues. El-Saieh’s work is part of the collections of the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami and the Pérez Art Museum Miami. He lives and works in Denver, Colorado, and is represented by Central Fine in Miami Beach, Florida.