Why Choose BLND SPOT?

I started on this work because the term “post-racial America” became so widely used during President Obama’s first campaign and it was just jarring to me. Around that time I was also introduced to Dr. Janet Helms white identity development model. These two influences so charged me that I attempted to do my part to normalize critical dialogue around race within my artistic community.

In 2010, I pitched a Social Think Tank to John-Martin Green Ed. D. who agreed to host it in Harlem, NY. I then invited a collection of artist to dialogue about ways to incite the critical dialogue and images needed to move us toward work that is antiracist instead of antiblack. We started with one conversation and by repeating it we’ve created a practice. Over ten years and through salons in Los Angeles, Boston and greater NYC the BLIND SPOT SALON SERIES has grown to make these dialogues and community building result in antiracist community actions.

- Russell G. Jones