Damani K. Diop (a.k.a. REALITY)

ARTIST STATEMENT

"Reality is now. These are expressions of what we are all feeling. The highs, the lows, and the in-between. Threads of out inner visions manifest a change from the usual labels and tags. Paradigm shifting. Life. Emanating from it is music, art, health,love,peace,joy,sadness and beyond My visual expressions provide an opportunity to turn within and see with inner emotional and spiritual eyes. Smooth shades of change. Words, rhymes, poetic expressions – they all represent action and movement. I refer to them as ‘verbal milk’. They nourish the soul, the heart and stimulate thought and affect perspective.” For me, XCLAN and KRS1 – their lyrics represent a collage of thought for the now. They create stories and illustrate authentic experiences. Hip Hop Culture is rich in that it creates and inspires through the MC and beyond the mic. Spawns creative spirits from all walks of life. It stretches the imagination, the desire and need to create & illuminates the REALITY of the artist. Generations have been educated and reared on knowledge-based Hip Hop. Nothing has changed – the truth remains – YOU MUST LEARN.”

 

 

BIO

 

When Bahamas-born, son of a teacher and police officer, and now accomplished Visual Artist, “REALITY” completed his 7-year tour of duty with the Marine Corp, never dreamed that his travels through Nigeria,Cameroon, the Caribbean Islands and other exotic locales would have lead to such an explosion of artistic expression. This visionary, creative being directed his sometimes adverse experiences into what’s been coined a “Reality Check”. REALITY translates his limitless flow of imagery and creativity and shares raw emotions and real-life circumstances through his art in a contemporary context.

When asked where he taps into his most concentrated source of inspiration, he simply replies “my feelings translate into visual imagery. I use pictures to tell stories, recount dreams and express emotions.” He continued by expressing that he “strongly believes we are experiencing a Renaissance of sorts on Earth and that art created by hand is generating life and encouraging movement.”

This self-professed late (artistic) bloomer attended a small fine arts college supported in spirit by teachers who encouraged his creative energy. REALITY has turned his hand and eye to custom-embellished apparel, children's wear, books, and unique consumer products as outlets for his distinctive expression.

Most recently, REALITY has teamed with a small group of grass roots community organizers called CATCH27 (representing the 27 Florida Electoral Votes). Powered by CATCH27, REALITY created nearly 27 pieces of emotionally-fueled, larger-than-life artworks across Dade and Broward Counties. The works are prominently featured in predominantly economically challenged communities with the intent to raise awareness and encouraged integral voter participation in the 2008 political process in support of President-Elect Senator Barack Obama.