One of the 12 artists chosen for the 2021 Alley Oop project initiative by @theGiveandGrow to paint and design this planter made from a real basketball. 100% of proceeds went to youth programming & community initiatives (with a focus on empowering young girls in sports).
Inspired by the song "I Can" by Nas, this design (titled 'Be Who You Wanna Be') is dedicated to our youth. The intertwining roots in a primary/secondary colour palette represents how the younger generation is the hope and foundation to building a better and brighter future for society. It manifests their aspirations, dreams, and the opportunities that we, the older generation, are obligated to pave for them. My aim was to instill a hopeful feeling through the depiction of a sunset/sunrise, with the message that despite societal barriers, expectations, and systemic oppression (represented by the line art - which shows that the journey isn't just a straight line), young people can and will reach their goals. BE WHO YOU WANNA BE - despite anyone telling you otherwise.
I've also written a poem called "Be Who You Wanna Be" to accompany this design.
Fun fact: the line art figures are inspired by basketball legends Kobe Bryant and Candace Parker's silhouettes. But they were intentionally painted as gender ambiguous to provide a diverse representation of our youth.
