Artist Statement

Through fineliner pen drawings, Mississippi-born, Maryland-based artist Michael A. Booker explores Black interiority and personhood. Deploying his usual lexicon of aesthetics to create complex images that oscillate between the figurative and abstract, the artist delves into the intricate interplay between psychological and emotional experiences and their ties to the Black community and culture. Frequently, heads in Booker's work are either hidden or turned aside, emphasizing the role of hair as the primary mode of expression rather than facial cues. This pose suggests that the figures may be concealing their emotions or engrossed in something beyond our immediate awareness. Vivid hues, subtle symbolism, and meticulously crafted details serve as channels for conveying inner reflections and their intersections with broader cultural contexts. They also convey how individuals perceive their place within or outside the collective cultural framework. Through the portrayal of the figure, viewers are presented with a chance to introspect and contemplate their own personal experiences.