Labels

Labels
By Wil Golden


I was asked once whether I consider myself a black artist or an African American artist I immediately thought about a rap song by Salt and Pepa, “Black Magic,” one verse goes:, “Anything tragic relates to Black, Black Sunday or Monday, Black tongues or lungs may cause a Black sleep, why say Black sheep, Black Sabbath evil, Black market illegal, Black widow is deadly, Black potion ain’t healthy see” some of us have heard this. If you want to listen, I found it on YOUTUBE here.
Anyway, although I have been making art for forever, I have not been working as an artist long. My work has and continues to be what intrigues me. Often times it answers the statement; that would make someone think. I hope that what is intriguing me now has changed since I have given my life to Christ. Every day I ask the Holy Spirit to direct my paths and have me not lean unto my own understanding. To give me wisdom and strength to let God do his will in my life.
Before I posted one of my last pieces of art work on my website, Wil Golden Fine Art, I thought about whether I would be labeled an African American, or a Black artist and I never really thought about it before. Some of us have not learned how to not think about how we will be labeled by others...it is ingrained in some of us, taught to us subconsciously from birth in many different ways. That being said, at this point in my life, I do not care how you label me. I produce and create art because I have a God given ability to, and my life is all about Him…for my good and my God’s glory. Again, my work intrigues me and I hope it will get others to think and see differently and hopefully like and purchase. That is the God given vision for this gift that I have been given. I am just as Black as the next black person, in color, and I understand that experience in general, but my black experience is different than your black experience, and is different than your black experience, and is different you’re your brown experience, and different than your yellow experience, and is different than your white experience and your red experience. Life is too short to be concerned about negativity that others will bring to the table. My trust is in GOD not people. If you allow others to label you…they will. You must know who you are and only Christ really knows you and can tell you your true purpose here.
So, what do we do…What we should do is bring all those experiences to the table and produce what we produce and create what we create and do what we do based on experience, your mission, your goals and let the labels fall where they may. Stay engaged!