My truest confession of hip hop? I’m somewhat of a Future fan. Mask Off is the visual representation of my understanding of the metaphor. We as individuals tend to hide behind layers and ‘masks’, ultimately nurturing their comforts and fears. Mahatma Gandhi teaches that “Power is of two kinds. One is obtained by the fear of punishment and the other by acts of love. Power based on love is a thousand times more effective and permanent then the one derived from fear of punishment. In my lifetime, I’ve come to know both kinds of power that Ghandi has depicted, and the reality is that Ghandi was RIGHT! The power of Fear causes us to use distractions to keep ourselves and others from experiencing the depths of who we are and who we are supposed to be.

Creating the aesthetic for the Promethazine installment of this series was as easy as it was delicate. When shooting anything nude, my top priority is catching a shot that speaks to art without having the conversation of porn. Here, my muse, Tye  executes her presence perfectly for my requirements. What we end up with, is a bare beauty, posed not in shame but more-so in restraint. You’ll find her body language inviting, but restricted… almost as if she wants to reveal herself but lacks the courage or motivation. This becomes an invitation to the viewer to discover and hopefully overcome what they, themself, are holding back inside, that the world would love to see.