FAHAMU PECOU:  Crossfader approved

Artist Statement
My work features painting, video and performances that explore the phenomenon of contemporary propaganda and brand building as well as the cultural context of media and marketing and how they are both disconnected and relevant to fine art. Additionally I seek to expose the stereotypes around black masculinity as reflected in contemporary media.

Thinking through the process of media propaganda brought me to my current work with magazine covers. Playing on the public's psychological reaction to magazines, and preconceived ideas about who should be in them, I began projecting my image and ideas on the covers of magazines. I further abstracted the concept by juxtaposing my character's in your face, hip-hop bravado on fine art magazines. A combination of ideas are then examined in the final pieces that play with notions of fame, image and black masculinity as well as fine art insider politics.

Recently my character has emerged from the canvas and taken on a life of his own through performances and videos that critique popular culture phenomena such as reality television, celebrity idolization and behind-the-music style exposs. These performances and videos seek to blur the line between the actual and perceived. The end result is a skewed perception that is designed to engage viewers by challenging their preconceived ideas around celebrity, black masculinity and African American culture.

www.fahamupecouart.com
www.passageofright.wordpress.com
www.redcreativeagency.com

twitter.com/fptheshit