“Mmuo Rites and Rituals” by Jaryd Niles-Morris.
For the past five hundred years, darker people have been at war—physically, socially, psychologically, and politically against imperial concepts and constructs. Struggle has defined our recent history and will define our near future. This struggle has made violence and the threat of violence a constant consideration. No one understands the violence of oppressive ideas more than Black women.
Throughout the years, I have seen how colonial and imperial ideas about the human has influenced how we see the world and has left Black women at the bottom of the social ladder, not valued or respected nearly enough as a group.
However, through this, Black women remained resilient, dangerous, powerful, courageous, not backing down when the stakes demand struggle—and they struggled alongside Black men—without sacrificing compassion and empathy.
“Warrior” by Jaryd Niles-Morris.
She is someone who shows great courage, vigor, or resilience in struggle,
conflict, and daily challenges—a person who is experienced, skilled, and
engaged in warfare.
“Space Time Woman” by Jaryd Niles-Morris.
“Space Time Woman” by Jaryd Niles-Morris.
A superposition is a quantum system/particle that can exist in multiple possible states or conditions simultaneously until it is measured or observed. The image envisions the superposition of a woman's soul, existing in multiple states at once the past and present wrapped into a single unique existence.
“Militant XX” by Jaryd Niles-Morris.
Women can seem to constantly be at war, or preparing for war—a war
for her self-worth, a war for her own being.
“Ink” by Jaryd Niles-Morris.
Even angels get stained by misery. To be depressed is to have a consuming darkness dripping from your very essence; ruining everything you come into contact with. Even the angels.
“Mmuo Rites and Rituals” by Jarryd Niles-Morris.
This image is part of a series called “Ma Mmuo Ma Madu,” where each conceptual construct is inspired by west African philosophical ideas and research, in an effort to better understand my own heritage and acquire more knowledge about who I am and what that means.
The human elements in the image represent the living aspects of our cultures; the life and breath that carries on. The inanimate objects represent the dead, the foundation on which we stand and will soon join. Continuing the cycles and the rituals that keep the acknowledgment of those cycles front of mind.
