The New BlackFace: Super Size Jewelry, Drugs, Guns, Women, & Rapping

Interview with artist Shawn Cupid

By Craig Chapman

When I saw Shawn’s ‘New BlackFace’ series I first thought ‘Woah!!!’ He says, “I knew what I was doing was really deep and a whole lot of people were not going to like it. It’s something that has to be done, and people need to see how our past is living in the present.”

I first met Shawn when our paths crossed somewhere in Brooklyn; a bar, a gallery, the Brooklyn Museum… Brooklyn is just that kind of place where you meet new, creative people everyday.  It wasn’t until later that weekend when I got home and sat down to check out some of his work. When I saw his ‘New BlackFace’ series I first thought ‘Woah!!!’. Only getting to know Shawn through my computer I didn’t know his experience first hand, I hadn’t seen people’s reactions to this series… I could only assume it sparked a lot of conversation. So, I interviewed him…

First off, I know you because of your work 'The New BlackFace'. Is this an ongoing collection of work or is this something that you have completed?

The New BlackFace work is an ongoing series and I don't think it going to be a complete body of work for a long time.

Tell me a little about your inspiration for the series and especially why you personally feel so strongly about it? I watched Byron Hurt's film 'Hip Hop: Beyond Beats & Rhymes’, which you noted as a source of inspiration.

My inspiration for The New BlackFace comes from a few places. 1. It came from an interview with DJ Winta and Rhymefest. DJ Winta asked Rhymefest, "What do you think about those grills?" and Rhymefest called them the new blackface. After hearing that I began working on my 1st set of Grillz and Chains paintings.

A few months after that I watched Byron Hurt's film 'Hip Hop: Beyond Beats & Rhymes' and it hit home. I knew what I was doing was really deep and a whole lot of people were not going to like it. It’s something that has to be done, and people need to see how our past is living in the present.

Tell me a bit about the feedback for the series. There has to be strong dislikes and strong love for the work as well, has it been a subject matter that fires up some debate for you?

For the most part the feedback has been good. Black people get what I’m trying to do and say, as well as White people. I'm only bringing this up because when I first started I want my art to hit Black people over the head. I wanted them to get mad and say how could I put "our" dirty laundry out there for the whole world to see. Yes, it got some people mad. I had a solo show in a small gallery in Brooklyn and I pissed off a few older Black people and I had to take the show down right after it opened. The funny thing is I was not mad I just found it funny that people were really pissed off about my work.

What is the ultimate goal with the series? Has it been just a means for you to discuss and bring to light a topic you feel strongly about?

My ultimate goal is to have the world to see my work and for The New BlackFace take a life of its own. I want my work to help jump-start more discussion about the Hip Hop culture.

Do you have a slogan or phrase that sums up the series?

Hmmm…. The New BlackFace: Super Size Jewelry, Drugs, Guns, Women, & Rapping…LOL

Ok now a little art process talk... I notice your work uses lots of different mediums: paint, chalk, crystals, objects, wood, collage, etc..... do you have a personal favorite?

I use many mediums because I look at my work like a Hip Hop artist, todays Hip Hop artist do a lot more than rap. They do movies, clothing line, drinks, etc. I felt like I had to do the same thing, so that is why I use different mediums. My favorite would have to be paint and pastels/chalk; I just have a lot of fun with them.

When you sit down to create, do you use music as a means of inspiration? If so please let us know some current and older favorites you listen to.

The funny thing is I just play music just to make some background noise. I don't really have any favorites. I just put on some hip-hop, make a drink and get to work.

As an artist today, what have you found to be the best way for you to market your work? Or is art simply something you do?

Marketing my work has been hard and slow, but it gives me time to better myself. I'm doing all I can to show the world my work, its just going to take some time.

What would be your dream installation?

My dream installation…. Man, I’m going to make it come true. I'm going to have all new and bigger works of art. I would have people dressed up as BlackFace rappers and BlackFace video vixens. They would work the room and mix in with the crowd acting like many of the rappers and video vixens you see on TV. I would have a DJ playing hardcore and gangsta rap all night, and I would serve New BlackFace 40oz (I’m working on that right now) too.

What's next for you? More in 'The New Blackface' series? Another series you are working on?

I'm working on the next part of The New BlackFace series of paintings called "The seven deadly vixens". It’s my spin off of the seven deadly sins mixed with Hip Hop and video vixens. They are going to be colorful and badass!!

How can people get in touch with you??

People can find me a few ways: My web site playingcupidesign.com/black, Twitter.com/kidcupid, and facebook.com/scupid