Chayse Sampy

Cops and Robbers

*FINALIST*
*PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD*

Growing up in a predominately white, affluent area of Houston, I developed a certain detachment from the plight of Black people. The representation of Blackness via the media, paired with school-bred nationalism, created a distortion of self. We were taught that America was this global superpower, a safe haven where anyone is welcome and offered a chance to prosper. I eventually realized this wasn’t completely true and there were structural flaws in the foundation of my country. These flaws ignited a deep desire to understand and contextualize Blackness in space. 

Through painting, I am exploring the interrelationship of ideological systems, history, representation, and Black experience. I believe in the importance of creating artwork that reflects on the state of society. I see my artwork as a form of activism, as well as a driving force for uncomfortable but necessary conversations. The current polarity of society is due to a lack of exposure, a lack of knowledge, and an inability to connect or understand each other. My main focus is making Blackness visible, in an attempt to combat erasure and to place Black figures into the artistic landscape. By working in a representational manner, I can only offer a glimpse at the world through the eye of a millennial Black woman on the journey of self-discovery. “Cops and Robbers” is a part of a larger series titled A Generation Neglected. The series focuses on the issues inherited by Generation Z, forcing the audience to confront the environments we have constructed for our youth. This piece, “Cops and Robbers,” deals with the premature transition from perceived innocence to criminality in Black boys.