Not All Angels are Seen..

In this striking mixed-media piece, the artist weaves together layers of historical, cultural, and emotional commentary, creating a visceral and thought-provoking work. At the heart is an original Belafonte Sings the Blues album, symbolizing Harry Belafonte’s enduring legacy—not only as a musician, but as a courageous activist and a deeply human voice for change. His image radiates through the piece as a symbol of what it means to rise above adversity with integrity, art, and action.

Directly below, a scratched-out Birth of a Nation album serves as a deliberate act of erasure. The album, tied to the 1915 film of the same name, represents a dangerous and outdated narrative—one that glamorized racism and perpetuated damaging ideologies. The artist’s defacement of this artifact is a refusal to allow those messages to be celebrated or remembered without critique. It is a call to reframe the story and to examine how media has long shaped public perception—for better or worse.

This is not just a piece about critique—it is about transformation. The dimensional wood element emerging from the frame—reminiscent of a handmade drum adds a layer of innocence, rhythm, and possibility. It suggests the next generation’s voice, the beat of change, and the power of imagination in shaping a better world.

The carved, architectural frame—painted in modern shades of gray, black, and white—offers a classical foundation for contemporary ideas. Subtle bursts of color break through the monochrome, reminding us that even within the weight of history, hope and beauty persist.

At the top of the piece, a handwritten poem offers a guiding light:

Not all angels are seen.

They do not wait for wings.

They fashion them from broken chains, from torn banners,

from the very dust of the streets they march upon.

Their wings are made of echoes—

of those who came before,

of those who walk beside them,

of those who will rise next.

These words become the soul of the work—honoring those who create change not from perfection, but from persistence. The angels in this piece are not distant or mythical; they are among us. They are the ones who stand up, speak out, and lift others with them.

Not All Angels are Seen is a layered, emotional, and ultimately hopeful work. It reminds us that while history may be heavy, there is always the possibility of light—especially when we choose to carry it forward.