Rochester’s history with racial division is not unlike other cities in this nation. In spite of contributions that span generations, communities of color continue to struggle under the weight of biased policies. Pluralistic trends have done little to dampen motivations to trap Black and Brown bodies in underserved areas. The series Necessary Invisibles, whose name is inspired by French political scientist, historian and feminist, Françoise Vergès, considers the Negro body and its devaluation in the wake of American ascendancy. Labor is a critical component of economic growth and yet the free labor that built the United States is largely ignored. The artist addresses this indifference using signage aesthetic from the manufacturing industry where laborers spend abusively long hours. In this series, he combines standardized safety label design with texts by writers of color. This public art project rebuts the apathy towards bodies of color and their function in the western economy. In highlighting their necessity, the artist aims to challenge their invisibility.
@StephonSenegal
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