The Defenders

Acrylic on Canvas

30 x 48 inches

2018

The Defenders consists of portraits of Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale who were the founders of the The Black Panther Party, a political organisation founded in 1966, Oakland California, during the Civil Rights Movement. The Party was originally described as The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense as members would arm themselves and patrol the community to monitor and challenge police brutality. This inspired the title of this piece and my intention to portray the strength of their leadership and protection.

“ We use the Black Panther as our symbol because the nature of a panther. A panther doesn’t strike anyone but when he’s assailed upon that he’ll back up first, but if the aggressor continues then he’ll strike out.“

- Huey P. Newton