Tyler Shields' photography exhibit turns racism on its head
Tyler Shields is an artist and photographer who creates compelling imagery that turns America's racist history onto its head."A lot of artists want an exact statement for everything they do," he said. "But I never want to not create something because I'm afraid of what it might say." Even so, you might assume that the 33-year-old photographer from Jacksonville, Florida - who built his newest photo series around the civil rights era's most potent images and symbols - is at least somewhat politically driven. You might also assume that he has much to say about the state of American race relations, especially since the high-profile police killings of black men and boys like Walter Scott and Michael Brown.
But you'd be wrong - to a point. For starters, Shields is clear about how little he follows current events. "I live in my own world," he said. "I try to get my news the old-fashioned way, through word of mouth. So when it finally gets to me, it's usually already a big story." And he's relatively adamant about his lack of political involvement. "I think this is the first time I've commented on anything politically," he said. "I try not to be influenced by things."
[More behind here]
Source: Identities.mic
But you'd be wrong - to a point. For starters, Shields is clear about how little he follows current events. "I live in my own world," he said. "I try to get my news the old-fashioned way, through word of mouth. So when it finally gets to me, it's usually already a big story." And he's relatively adamant about his lack of political involvement. "I think this is the first time I've commented on anything politically," he said. "I try not to be influenced by things."
[More behind here]
Source: Identities.mic