Blue Jungle
Blue Jungle is a visual extension of MadeByMagic’s debut EP, namely ‘Black & Blue: Melanin & Melancholy' (BB:MM)
We believe there are few greater signs of pride, self belief and resilience as growing your natural hair as a black person, Loc'd hair is often thought as one of the biggest ways to commit to these qualities.
The resemblance of a Lion's mane also compliment the idea of a Lion's pride to Locs and many practices of growing hair derive from the reference of/similar references of Samson, where strength and power are extended by growing your hair.
Personally we sense that within the African Diaspora and even within African communities there is a general ignorance with taking care, growing and 'developing a relationship with our hair; The black community worldwide are the biggest consumers in the hair industry but have the least ownership within the industry.
Just these points alone are major concerns as 'hair' is one of the most important forms of expression, identity and even communication throughout African/Black history and communities. Losing touch with something so significant is striking, we believe once we explore and uncover how situations like these occur, we learn about ourselves as a people and power ourselves through the world as individuals.
What drew us to Black Panthers in nature is that they are an epitome of adapting to and with their environment, not only survive but thrive also.
Inspired by the movements of the Black Panthers political party, a people of pride with a dedication of protecting and educating their own; Coupled with our interpretation of 'Loc pride' we came up with the idea of 'Blue Jungle'- Black Panthers adapting to surviving in a [blue] concrete jungle.
Credits
Creative Direction: MadeByMagic
Photography: Nosa Obak
Photography Edits: Jazmin Zyila
Assistants: Afra Bailey, Oparah Wendy
Production: zyi & We Are Soul
Models: Omar, MadeByMagic, Afronaut Zu, Pantha, Thaddeus, Shreddah, Nathan
Plants: Jen’s Plants & Florist
Location: Canvas Cafe
