Raven Irabor
What are your thoughts:
On artists feeling like they need to classify and title themselves.
Labels simply work to create understanding. I see a lot of artists/creatives eye roll grotesquely to the idea of being ‘put-into-a-box’ by labels. I think the real issue lies in this old-fashioned idea of being one-dimensional. There’s a shift now where being a multi-dimensional, multi-faceted, multi-hyphenated artist is now celebrated. While it is hasn’t been celebrated in traditional educational institutions, tastemakers and forward thinkers have an understanding of this new claim of identity as an artist. For me personally, I have struggled with properly identifying myself in order to summarize my talents for marketable purposes. The marketing behind it all (resumes, artist statements, CVs, etc) I really do not like/enjoy and we can go into that another time.
I recently settled on the title, “Creative Producer,” after toying with “Creative Director & Multidisciplinary Producer” and “Visual Director & Digital Producer” for some time. I’m sure after a couple of months, it’ll change again. That’s the thing with titles, they change once we grow.
On using black bodies as pieces of art
I never really think about the politics that come behind using ‘the black body.’ I think when you use those words together, it inherently becomes a slightly politicized piece. For me, it’s honestly and simply been about access. I use black people, primarily black women, because those are the people that I surround myself with. I have been blessed to be surrounded by a network of amazingly beautiful and talented black people who I work with on projects and now professionally (as I work at a Black-owned media company). So when people see my projects and notice that the talent is black and the crew is predominantly black, it is because the utilization of the ‘black body’ is just truly a natural part of my existence and my network.
On incorporating your Nigerian heritage in your work and producing projects that pay homage to where your family is from
I was talking to a friend in LA a few weeks ago about my mix (Trinidadian-Nigerian). During our conversation she said something along the lines of, “my existence inherently bridges the gap and creates conversations within the African Diaspora.” That conversation ignited a deeper dive into my purpose in my life’s work. In the last 5+ years, I’ve begun exploring what it means to be West Indian and African growing up in Black America. My perspective on both cultures is something I want to incorporate SO much more in my work. I want to work with innovative creatives that creating beautiful and powerful imagery highlighting the African Diasporic experience such as Renell Medrano, Melina Matouskas, Rajni Jacques, Ade Samuel, Ib Kamara, Kerby Jean-Raymond, Nadine-Ijewere, etc.
We are in an interesting time where the Diaspora is coming closer and closer together. Things like Afrochella are bringing people from all over the world to celebrate the unity of our people. The growth of Afrobeats, African fashion designers, Caribbean sounds being incorporated into mainstream music, etc has been such a heart fulfilling thing to watch develop as our cultures fuse and celebrate with one another. I recently started working for The Folklore and I cannot wait to develop content that really captivates people and explores different facets of the Diaspora. My dad also wants me to go to Nigeria and meet some Nollywood filmmakers in hopes of creating a film there. I’ll do that one day as a legacy of him.