The Bl∀ck Ǝsthetic Integrates Math and Black History Through Art to Shed a Better Light on Black Communities
Crystelle Hinton was introduced to art as a child from her artistic father. While growing up, her dad would free-hand draw and she would be shocked by his abilities. He also sketched and painted.
Art has followed Hinton since childhood, and sketching was the first way she learned how to express herself through art.
Crystelle Hinton. (Picture provided by Crystelle Hinton)
“I’ve only been painting since the middle of last year, [but] I’ve always sketched,” Hinton said.
As a new painter she’s secure in her genre of art: Black art. Hinton starts her creation process with a clean space and relaxing R&B music. Most of her art consists of paintings of Black women and men, but she’s open to painting things outside of that realm if customers request it.
“I love Black women, they were the first thing I started painting,” said Hinton.
Hinton brands her artistic expression as The Bl∀ck Ǝsthetic. Through art, she integrates her love for math and Black history. Her art illustrates the beauty that exists amongst all Black people.
According to the art exhibition company Tate, the Black aesthetic is a new way of thinking that developed alongside the civil rights movement and promoted separatism in the Black arts. It encouraged Black artists to create a new depiction or aesthetic of beauty, rather than the white western one.
Hinton is also passionate about depicting the current state and daily life of Black communities in a way that can inform and enlighten viewers. She hopes to put together events or incentives that can shed light on Black artists.
“It’s hard for an artist to share or sell art if people don’t pay attention to you,” she said.
During her time as an undergrad at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Hinton experienced some challenging times, so when she graduated with a degree in Business administration in finance, it became one of her biggest accomplishments. But, finance wasn’t her first or last major choice, but it made sense for financial security. Now, she wishes she’d taken courses in art, and chased her passion.
“If you are really passionate about something, chase it...don’t chase the money, chase the passion,” she said.
Although Hinton loves numbers, working with them isn’t her dream job. Her next goal is to become a graphic designer, and she also plans to get into the fashion industry by putting her artwork onto hoodies.
“I’m taking what I learned from finance and applying it to what I need to do for myself,” said Hinton.