A journey into Afro-Futurism By Marcus Henderson
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ibrant colors dance from incarcerated artist Lamavis “Shorty” Comundoiwilla’s paint brush on multiple canvases he transports viewers of his art in what can be deemed as Afro-Futurism. The fusion of pointillism (dots) and expressionism mixed with a dash of African symbolism in his painting The Feminine Yacub of 2042. “It’s pulling from ancient historical figures to address modern problems, to give it modern relevancy,” Comundoiwilla said. During San Quentin’s COVID-19 outbreak and fourteen months of limited prison programing Shorty’s tiny cell become his art studio. His life-sized piece The Feminine Yacub of 2042 depicts all-seeing eyes, pyramids, circles and cube shapes that are strategically placed around three African queens in full tribal dress. At 5 feet 6 inches tall, the painting towers over Comundoiwilla, who stands at 5 feet 4 inches. Native American hobby beads and jewelry are glued to the painting adding another dimension of realism. Reds, whites and yellow hues are added to his paintings to represent the different races and
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cultures. having with his parents about “equality.” “Black people have been in the forefront “The art lets my parents know how much of the Civil Rights movement and with The I have grown and my understanding of the Feminine Yacub of 2042 it captures the ad- world. Also this is who I am and this is what vancement of the mixture of cultures. Also I think.” He credits Arts and Corrections it speaks to prisoners’ rights, gay rights and teachers Carol Newberg and the late Paul it’s just an extension of our Mooney for giving him the I have a right to tools to express himself. “I’m God-given right to be who we are,” he explained of his work. be Black. I was not as angry as I use to be — art Shorty has only been paintis calming.” He appreciates the born American. way that artwork allows him to ing for four years. Before that, he just drew with pencils and study history, as well as his own I’m making it colored pens. He got his inspiplace in it, and bring something my mission to ration to paint when he was in positive into the world. lockdown at another prison. replace what has With all the police killings It was Mother’s Day and he been destroyed over the years, Shorty believes couldn’t make it to the comthere needs to be more posiwith Black art. missary to buy a card so he tive images of Black people painted his mother something and their experiences. “I have special. a right to be Black. I was born American. “My mother had the picture blown up and I’m making it my mission to replace what put on the living room wall. Then my father has been destroyed with Black art.” Even in bought me art supplies and said do more,” the midst of all the pain, Shorty believes art reflected Shorty. He said the images that he produces joy and love. “Like Paul Mooney paints are like a private conversation he is once told me, ‘Always paint colorful.’ ”
