How ironic is it that in an interview about a movement that’s all about radical, uncensored self-representation our message was wildly diluted (and in our opinion, made to look vain and superficial).
Buzzfeed did an interview with Mars and myself on the Art Hoe Movement, and while the exposure is wonderful, a lot of what we needed said was excluded. So, we’re going to add our uncensored answers because we demand be in control of our own narrative.
sensitiveblackperson
Buzzfeed: Can you explain what the art hoe movement is (when was it first created and why/ who is involved etc)? What’s the meaning behind the name “art hoe”? What inspired you both to come up with the idea?
Jam: The first time Mars or I ever heard the term Art Hoe was from our Rapper/Musician friend Babeo Baggins (rapper girl gang Barf Troop). They wrote it on an amazing selfie of theirs, and the term caught like wild fire. A few months later, Mars started drawing on their selfies. It was a simple concept, but people ate it up like hot cakes. I reached out to Mars and I tried to convince them that they’d unintentionally revolutionized selfies, allowing them to not only be your desired perception of yourself but also a possible creative outlet to shatter gender, class and race glass ceilings. What it evolved into was a concept that wasn’t only about the medium (art) nor the message (intersectionality/race/gender/class theory etc.) but that the power behind the term was in the combination of the two. For me, the Art Hoe movement is all about true creative freedom for PoC, especially black women. PoC and specifically black women have historically been excluded from the art world or simply used as hyper-sexualized muses whether it be in music, paintings, photographs etc. I think right now, with this movement, we’ve spoken up and said “I have autonomy over my representation and I’m going to use that to shine a light on how PoC have been excluded or made into tropes in art as a whole.” By superimposing yourself over your own creations, drawing on your face, or even putting yourself in front of some of the most famous paintings, we’re forcing ourselves to be included. We’re creating a new dialogue where we can be whatever we want in the art community because it’s finally on our own terms.
Mars: Jam and I had actually contradicting ideas. First Jam and I are both artists! Jam is painter/writer/singer, I’m a photographer/writer/digital artist. When we started the trend of superimposing self portraits we had different ideals. Since most art work was superimposed on a deceased old eminent white artists’ work (such as Van Gogh) Jam thought that since people of color were being the forefront of their work we were forcing ourselves into these spaces. I on the other hand thought the display of POC in a vivid, prosaic, and delicate manner sets a tone for how they feel. I love how our ideas mix and alternate ! It only leaves us inspired and motivated !
BF: What do you hope to achieve from this movement?
Jam: Honestly my goals start and end with representation and self love/acceptance. To see young PoC taking control over how they’re perceived and consumed is amazing and revolutionary! It’s similar to selfie culture, how people originally saw it as this vain, egotistical, frivolous thing but then realized that that autonomy over your own perception was unheard of. The art hoe movement takes that to the next level. It takes the kids who have been regularly and deliberately removed from mainstream media and discourse and forcing themselves in. For example, imagine seeing a disabled trans black woman superimposing herself over a white mans painting saying “I am here, I have worth, and my existence and art matters!” That to me is so wildly radical and revolutionary.
Mars: A revolution . Where social awareness and self confidence is dispersed like a new buzzword . Except I want this buzz word to be lasting . Something in the history books so people can look back at . I don’t want people of color to have self confidence that varies each day . I want them to have self confidence that is ever lasting . I want the eradication of European standards to be immediately . I want people of color to have a permanent platform where they aren’t the background singers to the Grammy award winner that is our white counterparts . We started art hoe collective (IG @arthoecollective)with our mutuals . Sandra (poet/writer) Amandla (actress/ writer/singer visual artist) Anajah (Singer/Dancer) Anisa (Visual artist) Myles (photographer) Sage (Poet/Writer/visual artist) Taylor (actress/performing arts) Alia (actress/singer )
We made it as forum so young creatives of color can find a safe space to display their art !
BF: What has the reaction been like so far (positive and negative)?
Jam: A lot of people have reached out to us, excited that we finally have a space designed specifically for us. Up until now, young PoC have had to assimilate into white art spaces which comes with a whole set of problems. But now, we’ve created a space just for us to express ourselves and revel in each others creations which is so encouraging and empowering. I think the biggest negative reaction we’ve had to deal with thus far is the use of the term ‘hoe’. I’ve had a lot of people talk to me about sex workers possibly having a problem with the term, and I think it’s incredibly important to recognize their need to reclaim the word in the whorephobic world we live in. However, black women have had the AAVE word 'hoe’ tacked onto us by black men, and subsequently everyone else. Obviously, it’s not comparable to the plight of sex workers, but it is important to note how black women especially are constantly demonized for our sexuality and hyper-sexualized at the same time. We’re taking a word that has been used to reduce, ridicule and oppress us and saying 'it’s ours now, we determine how you see us and how you consume us’.
Mars: First it would be fair to clear up the controversial aspect . Whore/hoe is a derogatory term used against sex workers to antagonize them for their work . This term has such a profound misogynist connotation . It is perceived as absolutely absurd to reclaim this word . Whore was reclaimed as “hoe” by black people . Hoe is considered “avve” (African American vernacular English ) . In this way it’s a rusty knife . Stabbing black women to further demean and trivialize their contributions . Now I’m aware that these two things can intersect and are not mutually exclusive . When you’re a sex worker of color (especially a black woman ) this term following stereotypes is much worst on you . People in this society should be aware of that following the word “hoe”. We must know that it is used to demean black women in every way but the effects and occurrences following this term are much demeaning if you’re a SW and black . Over the years the term has been used so loosely . It’s as if the term has become a loose thread on the garment that is modern society . It’s so trivialized that policing of this term is subdued and rare . With this movement I want it to be inclusive as possible . I don’t want to rise a term to eminence but diminish the importance of those who suffered from it . A myriad of sex workers have came forward to me expressing their love for the movement . They enjoy how it’s empowering and pioneering to society . Following the art hoe collective I would love to share their stories . I’ve gotten several and they’re so insightful . With this movement I don’t want to display a certain type of people . I want to show allBy using the term art hoe it rids of its derogatory connotation for something inspiring ….motivating ….powerful .
BF: Do you have any plans for art hoe in the future?
Jam: Our next step in the Art Hoe Movement has been creating the Art Hoe Collective with our friends Sandra, Amandla, Anajah, Anisa, Myles, Sage, Taylor and Alia. We created an instagram account, @arthoecollective, for people to submit their work to so we can shine a light on them and their art. What we’re hoping to do with it, is reclaim the movement that has been somewhat stolen from us with White girls, kanken backpacks and expensive markers. We’ve also opened the door for more formats of art to be submitted and celebrated ex. performance arts, writing, film etc. Based on our talents and preferences, we divided ourselves up into groups to post and uplift each artform, for example Mars and Myles post on Tuesdays showcasing photography and film, and Alia, Anajah and Taylor post Performance Arts on Wednesdays. We officially started our scheduled postings today (Monday, August 24th) and we’re all really excited for how many people we can reach and hopefully positively influence.