Photographer Giovanni Martins Celebrates Black Lives With #THISISBLACKGROUND Project

Dutch photographer Giovanni Martins is documenting and celebrating Black people from all over the world with a new initiative called #THISISBLACKGROUND. After COVID-19 put a stop to his original idea of showcasing 100 photographs of 100 people in a multi-city exhibition, Martins’ latest project is about “the power of imagery to affect perceptions and standards of beauty in its depictions of POC,” the artist wrote on Instagram.

Drawing from conceptual fashion and beauty portraits, the collection challenges the fashion world and its deep-seated notions of racism in the U.S. and worldwide. #THISISBLACKGROUND is available in the form of limited edition art prints, which further attempts to free society from racist and xenophobic ideologies within elite spaces and platforms of fine art. 25% of of the proceeds from the sale will be donated to the Black Art Futures Fund, a collective of emerging philanthropists that supports young Black artists.

Take a closer look at the portraits above and head to THISISBLACKGROUND’s website to shop the entire collection. Prints range from $50 to $5,000 USD.

Elsewhere, UTA Artist Space is hosting a virtual exhibition entitled “Renaissance: Noir” that features the works of 12 emerging Black artists.