les garçons noirs sont des fleurs I, 2021

Estimated Value: $20 “Les garçons noirs sont des fleurs” In honor of my cousin, who was a victim of gun violence, "Les garçons noirs sont des fleurs" is a visual testament to the fragile beauty of black boys, often seen through the harsh and ...

Estimated Value: $20 “Les garçons noirs sont des fleurs” In honor of my cousin, who was a victim of gun violence, "Les garçons noirs sont des fleurs" is a visual testament to the fragile beauty of black boys, often seen through the harsh and distorting lens of societal prejudice. This piece challenges those perceptions, revealing the tender humanity that lies beneath. Black boys are not hardened, prematurely aged beings—they are delicate flowers, deserving of the chance to blossom, to be nurtured, and to be seen in their full, vibrant glory. Three years after his murder, I found myself in a meadow, reconnecting with a friend, Clifford Frimpong, I met in Rexdale, whose charm and playfulness ignited memories of my cousin. As we photographed and caught up with each other, I documented every moment—moments of serenity, reflection, and laughter. He spoke of his future goals and plans, and we reflected on the fragility of life. Just like flowers, black boys need the opportunity to grow, to dream, and to flourish. This work is my heart, cracked open, pouring love and remembrance into each captured moment, honoring those we’ve lost and the dreams that continue to bloom.