pgp262:The Artist’s Statement-Elton Leonard Jr.

My artwork takes a critical view of cultural, political and erotic perspectives. In my work, I reconstruct the American dream and fantasy images that are part of our childhood and adult culture. Having engaged subjects as diverse as black women’s rights, spirituality, African-American liberation and African culture, my work reproduces familiar visual signs, arranging them into new conceptually layered pieces.

Often times these themes are combined into visual feminine elements that feature surreal and abstract backgrounds, juxtaposed with symbolic spiritual images, and often embellished with vibrant colors. The colors orange and yellow (that I most frequently use) establishes a dream-like surreal quality, suggests notions of calmness, peace, love, happiness and safety; which formally unifies the disparate figures in each portrait.

While I use a variety of graphic as well as digital materials and processes in each project my methodology is consistent. Although there may not always be material similarities between the different projects they are linked by recurring formal concerns and through the subject matter. The subject matter of each body of work determines the materials and the forms of the work.

My work for the most part is a major recording that reminds us about the beauty and sweetness of women and how to find the goddess within all of us. Believe it or not, we as humans are all Artists in one shape or form that is personally unique to us; for we have to ability to create our own lives and most of all our own destinies.  My artwork is the very blueprint of who I am.

–Elton Leonard Jr.
6/29/2011

The Artist’s Statement

One of Pangea’s missions is to feature the visions of artists whose works exalt the afrosensual beauty of earthSistas and the culture that cultivates it. The Artist’s Statement is a new series in the Project that focuses on these efforts. Along with appearing in the Garden’s blog, The Pangea’s Garden Project, it will also be promoted on the various social media blocks that we have established (Facebook, Tumblr and Twitter).

If you believe some if not all of your works should be featured, please let us know by submitting images and your Artist Statement about the works you’ve selected to [email protected]

When it comes to art, food, fashion, health, fitness music, culture and society Pangea’s Garden continues to bring you the culture that cultivates. We actively strive to be your Afrosensual nexus of ideas, images, commentary, participation and events that inspire, provoke, entertain and actively engage you. If you love what you see here and desire to see more, please consider signing up for a premium membership. It grants you access to ALL of the Garden’s content and you will be one of the Cultivators of the vision that we’ve ALL planted & grown in Pangea.

Pangea’s Nature Stroll Series… The moments are unique and timeless. There is a symphony of scents and sounds as well as visions that intertwine to create and extraordinary body of stimuli. When you are there, you can’t help but be inspired by God’s design. this was the backdrop for the beautiful women who have all taken part in this extraordinary rich series of images that are still never ending. Momentary strolls that were reflective, imaginative, provocative and creative led to some revealing moments in which beauty both inside and out was exposed.