I am Lakeem Wilson, I am an artist, a thinker, a philosopher, a community leader, as well as a student at the University of Texas at Austin.

All of these aspects play different roles on shaping my experience as an artist as well as defining the language in which I want my artwork to speak. My personal biography shapes the contextual drive behind my photography and illustrations. I grew up in an area where not many people had the abundance of a wealthy community, nor all of the resources provided to live a stress free life. However, my environment did provide me with a unique community and experience, as well as the right amount of opportunities to pursue my passion. On my path as an artist my goals are to recreate and define the identity of what it mean to be black in America, as well frame different moments in time that tells a narrative about the society we all live.

In this book I combined a series of photographs and illustrations to explore the reality that I perceived at different instances in my life. Theres a constant pull between what is reality and fantasy, as well as realism and surrealism. I am interested in exploring a distinct body of topics and seeing what kind of narrative they provide as collection of images. I also use some of my illustrations reflect on the type of future that I choose to manifest for myself and to question the benevolence of humankind.

This book is a small selection of my work. To see more, visit my website at Natural-BornStar.org or follow me on Instagram and Twitter @lock_o_pikasso

Book design by Amyn Kassam (http://RedThroatHouse.com)

All artwork is original and produced by Lakeem Wilson. 2014 All Rights Reserved.

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