pgp:183 Michael Thompson is freestyle

Posted by vincent in The Pangea's Garden Project on 06 19th, 2010 | 4 responses

by Vincent

You see his work and its stops you. Dead in your tracks its stops you.

Michael Thompson’s colors are rich and vibrant; a tasty buffet of design for your eyes. Its worth a look but that not what stops you. There’s always a story in the design, elevating it to the highest forms of art. Its a 21st century Afrocentric aesthestic that provokes, entertains and inspires. It stops you because it takes you to a place that you haven’t been. Yet

Michael says, “I use design as a visual language to educate, to fight injustice, and also a way to ignite conversation. This collection include poster designs that expose Jamaican cultural exports; which is Reggae and Rocksteady, Ska, As you will see I also focus on current world issues that needs attention. I try to design my posters to be combative in message but in simple modern minimalist style. In the future I hope to add more designs broader global issues such as the Environment, child soldiers and Healthcare.”

"These are some of my 18x24 poster prints which I have had produced. I am very please by the way the prints turned out. I have many more to make." -Michael Thompson

I chanced upon Thompson’s Flickr account where he goes by the name “freestyle.” And while his most recent works are mostly conscious-raising poster art & design, his photography and art are there as well. So believe me when I say the work here barely touches the surface of this accomplished creative.

Based in Easton PA (a city situated midway between New York and Philadelphia) Michael seeks “to make a difference with art and to bring awareness to the many social issues affecting large section of our planet.” His talents have attracted clients such as CITI, Verizon, Time Warner Cable and the National Urban League. And his posters are available for use in solidarity projects and for individual purchase. He is, indeed, a bright modern Griot in these interesting times.

I’ve included a small sampling of his works here. Many of them include excerpts from “freestyle’s” own thoughts in the creation of the works. Its hard, once you see these images, not to want to delve into their deeper truths. Check them out for yourself.

And remember, this is only a taste of what Michael Thompson has accomplished creatively. To see more check out his Flickr page or go to his website. And you be the judge. Come back here and let us know if you thought they were worth the look.

: "This poster is dedicated to the Jamaican dancer Bogle, Father Bogle, Mr Wacky, and all the Urban street dancers of Kingston Jamaica. " - Michael Thompson

: "This is my poster contribution to the 2010 HAITI POSTER PROJECT The 2010 HAITI POSTER PROJECT is a collaboration of artists and designers from around the world, benefitting victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Moxie Sozo, the organizer of the 2005 HURRICANE POSTER PROJECT, is teaming up with Josh Higgins, the organizer of the 2007 SO-CAL FIRE POSTER PROJECT to produce the 2010 HAITI POSTER PROJECT. The goal is to raise at least $1,000,000 for Doctors Without Borders." - Michael Thompson

: "Michael Smith (14 September 1954 - 17 August 1983), was a Jamaican dub poet. Along with Linton Kwesi Johnson, and Mutabaruka, he was one of the most well-known dub poets....His outspoken commentary on the Òisms and schisms of ÔpolitricksÓÕ in Jamaica led to his life being cut short. Michael Smith was stoned to death following a clash at a political rally, which sadly occurred on Marcus Garvey's birthday." -Michael Thompson Dub poetry is a form of performance poetry of West Indian origin, which evolved out of dub music consisting of spoken word over reggae rhythms in Jamaica in the 1970s

: I am Tivoli Not my country's enemy But a lovely garden Created free to bloom Can't you see? I am Tivoli Not here for pain to engulf me But to be all that I am here to be To shine from the lightness of my soul Not to be raped in the night And left carrying painful memories So deep inside my soul. I am Tivoli Roughly broken from the company of my innocence ... And now my lonely tears are teasing, And showing shameful flicks in the presence of my Jamaican eyes I am Tivoli Tell me, what right do you have to be so unkind to me ? What is to become of me? By fania simon

: "Labour Day Massacre in TIVOLI GARDENS Jamaicans of all walks of life are affected; rightfully so they are very concerned. However, actions like the one in Tivoli Gardens cannot be the solution. Of the hundreds of men, women and even children detained and brutalized for days without charges after the Tivoli operations, almost all were released. Few if any have been charged with any crimes related to the events in Tivoli. " - an excerpt from Michael Thompson's commentary

: Jah cure (Jamaica)

: "THE HAITI POSTER PROJECT was launched three days after the January 12th, 2010 earthquake in Haiti. The project is a collaborative effort by the design community to help effect change through our work. Signed and numbered, limited edition posters have been donated by designers and artists from around the world. All money raised will be donated to Doctors Without Borders." - Michael Thompson

: Rastaman Dub Poet Vibration Dub poetry is a form of performance poetry of West Indian origin, which evolved out of dub music consisting of spoken word over reggae rhythms in Jamaica in the 1970s

: Queen Nanny - Freedom Fighter

: "According to a 2001 national census which surveyed 11.2 million Cubans, 1.1 million Cubans described themselves as Black, while 2.8 million considered themselves to be "mulatto" or "mestizo". Thus a significant proportion of those living on the island affirm some African ancestry. The matter is further complicated by the fact that a fair number of people still locate their origins in specific African ethnic groups or regions, particularly Yoruba, Igbo and Congo, but also Arará, Carabalí, Mandingo, Fula, Makua, and others. Nevertheless, and despite the egalitarian project of the Cuban revolution, racial discrimination still exists in Cuba. Many Afro-Cubans complain that they are refused employment in the lucrative tourism industry, where Cubans make in tips weekly what doctors and other professionals make in months" - Michael Thompson

: "MARCUS GARVEY, "Back-to-Africa" leader, was the most widely known of all the agitators for the rights of the Negro and one of the most phenomenal. He was born in Jamaica, West Indies, of very humble parents. Arriving in the United States poor and unknown, within four years he became the most talked-of black man in the United States and the West Indies, and perhaps in the world." -Michael Thompson

: "Lovers rock is a style of Reggae music noted for its romantic sound and content. While love songs had been an important part of Jamaican popular music since the late 1960s, the style was given a greater focus and a name in London in the mid 1970s." - Michael Thompson

: "Bobo Shanti, or the Priestly Order of Rastafari, the Ethiopia Africa Black International Congress, Church of True Divine Salvation, was founded in Jamaica during the mid-twentieth century by Charles Edwards, known as King Emmanuel, and considered by many to be the Black Christ-in-flesh. Most of its members, called "Bobos" or "Bobo dreads". Bobos greet each other using the formal address "My Lord" and are most notable for their wearing of turbans and long flowing robes as well as brooms they carry with them, which signify cleanliness. Membership of the Ethiopia Africa Black International Congress is increasingly growing globally, as their members are seen in Africa, Europe, North and South America and throughout the Caribbean. King Emmanuel is called "Dada" by his followers, who see him as part of a holy Trinity, together with Marcus Garvey and Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, in which Selassie is seen as King/God (Jah), Garvey as prophet, and Emmanuel as high priest after the priesthood order of Melchizedek." - Michael Thompson

: "No where else on earth will you find a culture as dynamic as the one visitors encounter in Jamaica. Its people are a mixture of the many ethnicities that have landed on the island's shores over the past several centuries. Weathering enslavement and oppression, the Jamaicans are survivors, and their past is full of fascinating stories just waiting to be told." - Michael Thompson

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4 Responses to “pgp:183 Michael Thompson is freestyle”

Alexandria says:

July 3, 2010 at 3:13 am

Yes, my personal favorites are his images of the recent brutality in Jamaica on innocent by standers. Love an artists who commands your attention.
Azmera HarvestGirl says:

July 24, 2010 at 10:22 am

raw talent.. i wud love see sum of these on shirts!
New charity cooperation with Jamaican graphic designer Freestylee | Help Jamaica! e.V. says:

June 29, 2011 at 5:57 am

[...] Check out his other excellent work on Flickr or read this blog-article about Michael Thompson. [...]
a Sunday in the Gardens (1.22.12)- Pangea's Garden says:

January 22, 2012 at 6:03 pm

[...] and Maurice Evans and Tamara Natalie Madden and so many more. I came to appreciate the artworks of Michael Thompson and Elton Leonard among others as well. We’ve been fortunate to feature the adornments of [...]