feature: afrocentric and unapologetically bold illustrations by artist iz sanders give a fresh new look to cultural reclamation

Iz Sanders, the 22 year old cartoon artist from Texas, provides a provoking platform for a much needed cultural commentary. At first glance, the bright illustrations fall directly into the modern pop culture aesthetic- approaching it’s audience in a strikingly provocative way. Yet, as one delves deeper into the individual content, the activism begins to speak for itself. Each illustration works to dismantle a different level of stereotype- by recognizing it, embracing it, and then personalizing it with power and strength. With a tight mixture of indigenous pattern, inflammatory language, and familiar references, Sanders is able to entertain as well as inform and empower; a trait that is becoming increasingly more necessary. Though art is often viewed as a form of escape, the pieces in Sander’s collection not only succeed in transporting their audience into a utopian-esque world of cultural pride, they also inspire a deep reflection-one with the tendency to elicit productive action and change. Check out more of her work below.

http://izzykahn.wix.com/izzy
http://izosceles.tumblr.com/
https://twitter.com/izosceles