#BlackExcellence365: Brandon Briscoe
We have another gem today for our Spotlight series. We got a chance to talk to @bebriscoe, a visual artist and actor from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Below, he shares his journey in visual art, his sources of inspiration, and how Tumblr inspired his love of photography.
Tell us about yourself. Where did your passion for graphic design and photography start?
My name is Brandon Briscoe, aka “Briscoe.” I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I was very fortunate to receive the opportunity to find my passion for the visual arts at an early age. Having that exposure as a child truly ignited my passions for graphic design, photography, theatre, and all other art forms. My love for photography began on Tumblr. When I was in high school, I would see all these incredible photos and people showing off their Canon and Nikon cameras. My mother and grandmother purchased me a Canon for Christmas, and I took it everywhere.
Your graphic designs show monumental Black artists such as André 3000, Sade, and Pharrell. Where does this inspiration come from?
The inspiration comes from artists I was stimulated by in my upbringing. André 3000 really encouraged me to be myself. It is okay to be idiosyncratic; it is wonderful. My mother introduced me to Sade’s music, and it was always playing at home. Her music reminds me of my mother and her journey as a Black woman. I also grew up listening to Pharrell Williams. I look up to him and cherish his contributions to music, fashion, and culture. I draw stimulus from figures who shaped my artistic vision and exude unapologetic Blackness. Being Black is beautiful, and you are capable of anything with this identity.
How do you embody the mission of #BlackExcellence365 in your everyday work?
My definition of art is to create something that defies space and time. I want the art I produce to outlast my own existence, to motivate people for successive generations. My Blackness is salient in the designs I create, in the photos I take. It is a characteristic I refuse to erase. My art is a reflection of my reality as a Black man in modern America. It also contributes to a diverse BLACK experience. Through my craft, I want to extend the conversation of the Black experience and its multifaceted essence in every space that I enter. I cannot determine when and where to represent my Blackness. It is the cape that will never be excluded from my identity, and I am okay with that.
How has Tumblr allowed you to showcase your work and connect with other Black creatives?
Tumblr was the first platform to penetrate my mind with other artists and creatives. It introduced me to some of my biggest influences, such as Frank Ocean, The Weeknd, KAWS, and Tyler, The Creator. It sustained my education and awareness of diverse areas of art on a macroscopic level. Later, Tumblr became a primary outlet for networking with and accessing other Black creatives. The artists and creatives I have met on Tumblr genuinely supported my vision as an artist. Tumblr is a safe space that promotes self-expression without hesitation. I remain active on my Tumblr to this day, and I still discover spur from Black creatives. You won’t find an individual connection like that on any other platform. Tumblr does not exhibit space to promote your art. It is an expanse to live your art. And I will always love it.
Thank you for sharing your story, Brandon. We’re glad that Tumblr has been useful for exploring yourself and finding other Black creatives. Tumblr, what are some of your favorite Black creatives? Use the #BlackExcellence365 tag to share with us.
This interview has been condensed for clarity.
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