MASAI PINES-ELLIOTT
I am a student, photographer, artist, young black man, colorful. A kid born and raised in Philadelphia by a principal and an artist. Art has been around my entire life. My mom has been painting and drawing since she was a kid. Recently she opened her own art studio on Germantown Ave! She was the reason I was propelled into the life of art and creating freely.
My work seeks to capture the voices of people fighting for racial equality. As a nine-year-old black boy, I had to grapple with the murder of Trayvon Martin. I use my art to bring the voices of young black men and women to life as well as to portray those who are fighting for us on a daily basis. I use A DSLR a canon 6D mark II and 1D II N to be specific. Editing my photographs, I emphasize color and texture to bring my subjects to life. I edit the color and texture to emphasize the message.
My art shines a light on the racial injustices constantly going on in front of our eyes. As a young black man in the U.S right now I don’t feel safe. Seeing men and women, older and younger than me, being murdered by people who are supposed to protect me is terrifying. I feel scared. Every day it seems like one of us is lost. Not knowing if I am next, I wake up and try to put a smile on peoples’ faces. I use my art to try to make an everlasting impact before I’m gone. I want my young brothers and sisters to be able to grow up and accomplish their goals without having to worry about these types of issues at such a young age. My goal for my work is to express the overwhelming anger, fear, and hope that is present at each protest and that I feel at this time. I hope more than just something to look at, my photos speak to your heart.
Click on images to see them larger.
My work seeks to capture the voices of people fighting for racial equality. As a nine-year-old black boy, I had to grapple with the murder of Trayvon Martin. I use my art to bring the voices of young black men and women to life as well as to portray those who are fighting for us on a daily basis. I use A DSLR a canon 6D mark II and 1D II N to be specific. Editing my photographs, I emphasize color and texture to bring my subjects to life. I edit the color and texture to emphasize the message.
My art shines a light on the racial injustices constantly going on in front of our eyes. As a young black man in the U.S right now I don’t feel safe. Seeing men and women, older and younger than me, being murdered by people who are supposed to protect me is terrifying. I feel scared. Every day it seems like one of us is lost. Not knowing if I am next, I wake up and try to put a smile on peoples’ faces. I use my art to try to make an everlasting impact before I’m gone. I want my young brothers and sisters to be able to grow up and accomplish their goals without having to worry about these types of issues at such a young age. My goal for my work is to express the overwhelming anger, fear, and hope that is present at each protest and that I feel at this time. I hope more than just something to look at, my photos speak to your heart.
Click on images to see them larger.