Creative art is supposed to provoke an emotion, but is this “blackface” too far? More like provoking an outrage.
Instagram account @PaintDaFace, a Los Angeles- based makeup artist, posted this creative editorial. Following his hesitation, he decided to feature the transformation of a model celebrating other cultures along with a disclaimer.
The caption reads:
“DISCLAIMER. I want to clearly express the sincere place I am coming from with this transformation. As an artist and visionary, I can become bored of the ‘glam’ and done-up looks that we find all over social media, my page included. I struggle to remain challenged, and as a result of that, my posts have become more manufactured than authentic.
“This is a transformation that I’ve been holding back from releasing for a while now, solely because of the fear I’ve had of people turning it into a racial scandal against me. THIS IS NOT ABOUT A RACE CHANGE. This is about one woman acknowledging, embracing, and celebrating the beauty of another woman’s culture. I believe we live in a society nowadays that seeks any reason to stomp around town with a picket stick in their hand, fighting ABOUT something, rather than FOR something (and yes, there is a difference!).
“I didn’t want this to become another reason to stir up negativity. This is, by far, the proudest I’ve ever been of my work and I’m so fortunate to have created it with @annathorsell, who trusted my vision from the very beginning.”
As a creative, you put out your authentic self for others to judge. Unless it’s costume makeup how can a makeup artist challenge themselves? @PaintDaFace did his part as an artist and provoked an emotion. With the original post now deleted, the artist clearly provoked a strong reaction. Entitled to an opinion, many individuals have taken to social media to do just that.
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