Week #25 ('20) Art Appreciation
Welcome to my weekly Art Appreciation post, where I provide a list of some amazing album covers, single art, and random art that have come out within the past week. I’ll give you the artist/photographer/painter/magician’s name, as well as any social media or websites where you can go and check out more of their work. Click here to go back and see some other Art Appreciation posts.
This weekend was Father’s Day, and while the second piece of art may not technically quality as “father” material, I still have two pieces for you that represent the influence and guidance that we receive from those before us, whether that be the stern-but-loving hands of Laurence Fishbourne, or the trust, love, and business partnership of family. Drawing upon these relationships to create art can create some of the most emotionally powerful content for me personally to have to experience; Fatherhood just as a concept is something that has always gotten me in my feels when watching movies, reading books, and, of course, listening to music. I have immense respect for my Father and the man he made of me, and I’ve always said if I had any artistic talent whatsoever the first thing I would do would be to honor him in some way. I give you these pieces to look at in place of my lack of talent!
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Artist(s): Manuel “Cep” Concepcion
Milestones, by Skyzoo
For Father’s Day, Skyzoo put out an EP reflecting on the concept of his fatherhood, and what better way to represent the bonds between father and son than this album cover right here. Boyz n the Hood is brilliant for so many different reasons, but the relationship between Tre and Furious Syles is one of the most compelling parts of the film. Tre, very much like Skyzoo, is given a rare blessing amongst those in the poverty-stricken ghettos of America: they both grew up with a Father figure that would guide and shape them down to their very essences. In the scene depicted above you see Tre looking at his Father with respect and admiration, with what seems to be Skyzoo’s own eyes superimposed over Tre’s, demonstrating the similar ways they both view their fathers. There’s a yearning to learn and to emulate from the sons, where you see that, while both Furious and Tre/Sky have third eyes, the latter’s is unfocused and off-center, while Furious’ is in-sync and firing on all cylinders. This whole image is something that I can associate with heavily, and, as art, moves me more than anything I’ve seen recently. If anyone has not seen the movie, you’re doing yourself a disservice, and give Skyzoo’s new project a listen directly after viewing for maximum potency.
Cep's Instagram/Cep’s Twitter/Cep’s Website
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Artist(s): ynsdraws (AKA ReezYens)
The Smartest, by Tee Grizzley
Tee Grizzley has had a particularly rough year. An attempt on his life left him rattled, and left his aunt, who was also his manager as an artist, JB, murdered. The music on his lastest project, The Smartest, reflects this loss in his lyrics, but the cover art for the tape also gives you ideas of who Tee is: a well-rounded artist coming out of this tragedy. Take note of his chain: simply “JB”, no flash or pomp, just the initials close to his heart. He has money, chains, lean, and… mustard available and within reach, but he chooses to keep his desk (and by extension his mind) clear. You can see Tee writing “I Apologize” in his notebook, some of the realest shit he’s ever wrote that shows up on The Smartest. To reinforce his values, you can see Black Lives Matter posters on the back wall, a map of his native Michigan, and the bear, which (given “grizzley”) is one his most important symbols as an artist. At the end of the day, I just love how this gives you a clear look at the Tee Grizzley of today, different than he was when he got out of jail, and different in the face of great adversity. Rest in Peace JB.
