Ervin A. Johnson

Variations On A Theme is a nod to the technical influence of jazz within the series, but also how that genre reflects the life experiences of Black people. Our experiences as Americans are nuanced, riddled with complexity. Racism functions, in the same way, adapting to the times and hiding behind pillars of privilege. The Black spirit shifts too, renegotiating trauma into beauty and triumph; a call and response. #InHonor exists as a visual reminder of the power of that transformation, and the inherent tenacity of the Black spirit. Guided by variations the work explores trauma in a very tangible way via the transformation of the portrait. Paint is introduced to the photographic material in a metaphoric way as a stand-in for physical and mental abuse done to Black bodies. Removing pigment and adding back from the photo on the first layer, in a not so accurate way becomes a commentary on the mishandling of the black body.