Troy Jones

The aim of my art is to shine a bright light on the lasting impact that the African diaspora has had on the African American experience. In my latest body of work I employ a motif of African tribal masks donned by contemporary African Americans because I’ve been called to further narrate the story of African Americans in today’s society. While my subjects tend to carry a distinctly urban style and aesthetic, drawing viewers to their aura of modernity and confidence, their masks function as a direct link to their African past. These masks symbolize protection, guidance, vitality, and the spirit. They are also an allegory to hidden histories and cultural preservation. As a result, my subjects embody various aspects of what it means to be African American. We need to see ourselves in the right light and it’s my hope that my work can help us to do so.