Solidarity Project A Collection of Paintings by Natiq Jalil

Appropriation is WRONG! Period… In all of its form, appropriation is hurtful, damaging, and disrespectful. There is no case where it is ok. For indigenous and native peoples across the globe, it is a negative phenomenon of epic proportions. Black face, yellow face, brown face, fake hip hoppers, hipsters in ceremonial headdresses, TV shows that mock people of different cultures, exploitation films, media stereotypes, Hollywood miscasting… the list seems to be endless. At the end of the day, so many of us have seen images and video of our cultures being disrespected in the worst ways. Combined with mainstream efforts to keep various peoples of color, women of different ethnic backgrounds, LGBT communities, and religious communities separated from each other by imaginary differences, we are at a loss. We are NOT different. We may have differences, but we are the same in our struggles. And we need to stand together as one unit to fight that which affects us all in the same way. That is what I want to fight for in my own unique way and with the humble talents that I have. I want to put together a collection of paintings depicting various cultures in the ways they want to be seen. My goal is the show beauty and authenticity of people, practices, and cultures from around the globe. As a self-taught artist, I don’t have power, influence, and money to throw around. However, I feel like, if I can take a stand in some way, using what I do have, maybe some amount of change can be made. In order to do this, I will need the help of the people. I need images and models to reference. The images should be of the best quality you can provide. I need images of your culture and the beauty you see in it. So send me your smiles, your tears, your prayers and ceremonies. Send me your dance, your music, your everyday lives. Send me your love, your hate, your lust, and your pride. Send me your barbershop pictures, your family dinners, your festivals, your favorite pastimes. I want all of it. Send me images of your with people of other culture who don’t give a shit about false differences. And I will give you the same. I will put my heart and soul into each piece. I will laugh with you, cry with you, love you and your people, fight your enemies, pray with you, dance with you, and share your meals. I will share with you all that I have to give through my work. Through it all, I will give you love. Please help me in this effort. If you don’t feel comfortable sending an image, feel free to send whatever you can. If you have words, send them. I’ll use them in a painting. If all you have is money, send it. I’ll use it for supplies and frames. If you are another artist who

feels the same way I do, let me know… the more the merrier. If all you have is encouragement. Send that. It will fuel my fire. If all you have is time, spend some of it with me and tell your community about this effort. Send your images (or whatever support you can give) to [email protected]. For those who wish to support in other way, email me to tell me about it and we’ll take it from there. I want to stand in solidarity with all of you to break down our cultural “differences” little by little. For those who’ve read this far, I thank you. I keep you updated on this project as it happens. Support your friendly neighborhood artists. Sincerely, Natiq…