Marcel Mattox (sophomore, social work) speaks about one of his works of art.
What is this piece about?
This piece is about knowing our roots. It's about knowing that not all of our history is rooted in trauma. In the media I feel like it's easy to focus sometimes on all of the bad things happening to Black communities. In this piece, I wanted to emphasize that those bad things do not define us. Racism and discrimination happens to us, but our roots have never stemed from that. Our roots are stemmed in strength, resilience, some darn good music, and ultimately greatness. We have a narrative, and with this piece I wanted it to be focused on the honestly awesome legacy we are rooted in, not the things that have happened to us.
What was your inspiration for “Know Your Roots”?
Honestly my dad. He’s recently gotten into Ancestry.com where you can find relatives and find out more of your history. He always emphasizes how important our roots are; how important it is to know what you're rooted in.
Do you have a favorite element in this art piece?
My favorite element is the rooted crown, ultimately the main focal point of this piece. It sits on top of the head, rooted in it, and emits a glow on top of it.
How long did it take you to put together “Know Your Roots”? What was your thought process going into it?
This piece took about two hours. My first priority in this piece was for it to be about Black joy. I didn’t want it to focus on the struggles and discrimination. Black History Month often tends to be used to bring attention to those issues, and often overshadows some of the awesomeness of being Black. We have a glowing legacy–hence the crown shining in this piece–and I honestly believe we’re rooted in greatness.
As a black artist and creator, what does Black History Month mean to you? How does it affect you and your artwork?
For me, Black History Month is for celebration and appreciation for the unique style we bring. As an artist, I take pride in all the things Black creatives bring to the table. We make dope music, movies, and books, and I hope to add to that amazing art.
What is the inspiration for your art style?
I’ve always been a fan of simple art styles such as cartoons or graphic novels and how, even in that simplicity, they can communicate complex and still meaningful messages.
How long have you been drawing?
I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember. As long as a crayon or anything with marking capabilities was in reach, so was a drawing. I’ve been illustrating for the newspaper for about a semester, and it’s been really fun so far.
Where can people go to see your work?
You can see the rest of my work on my Instagram @smallspark_
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.