Black Lives Matter launches arts and culture platform
Black Lives Matter has launched the BLM Arts+Culture platform to include apparel, art and collections that accentuates African-American culture and up-and-coming designers, recording artists and contemporary visual artists.
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According The Hollywood Reporter, the platform launched today and features shirts and tote nags with the Black Lives Matter messaging. The artwork on the graphic tees featured on the website were created by Emory Douglas, a graphic artist who worked as the Minister of Culture for the Black Panther Party.
“Black Lives Matter Arts+Culture uplifts artists who are staging cultural interventions and changing the world through their work,” said BLM founder Patrisse Cullors, who is leading the project.
The proceeds from the site will support the nearly 40 local Black Lives Matter chapters.
Cullors said pop-up shops are planned started this week at ComplexCon in Long Beach.
At ComplexCon, Cullors will curate an art exhibit with artwork featured by artists Damon Davis, Carlos Garcia and Oto Attah.
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“I curated this group of artists because their work is critical to transforming the way we relate to the world and to ourselves,” says Cullors.
“For example, Damon Davis is looking at black people as literal gods. He created a pantheon called ‘The Darker Gods’ that is visual, musical and deeply spiritual. In a time where black lives are constantly under attack and plagued by trauma and death, Davis’ work speaks to the type of depth and resilience necessary for black people to thrive.”
Cullors’ believes the new Arts+Culture platform will create a community of inclusion for artists and further the social justice organization’s mission.
