Tim Okamura Analysis

Description: Tim Okamura work is influenced by his environment to which he lives in. The background is gray tones blue. Showing through the toned blue, there are several labels and advertisements dealing with hair. There are several labels with red writing that seemed to have the blue tones paint removed to add depth to the wall. At the top of the painting, under the tones blue paint there is a layer of red-orange. Half way through to the bottom the paint becomes more of a wash over the advertisements. From the top of the Afro to the bottom there are several splatters helping to draw the eye down. The dominant figure is centered with one should higher than the other and arms crossed.

Analysis: Tim Okamura created a balance with the light background and saturated color in the foreground. His focal point is the geometric shape of the model’s hair. Hence the explanation of the painting. It moves into an organic shape with her body. The eye is drawn to the hair and slowly move outward. The word across the top moves vertically to take the eye from the left to the right. In addition, the model has the eye move from the top to the bottom. The blue color of the background is light and transparent so the images that were collaged can show through. The letters are white semi-transparent so it does not take away from the
This is shown by her standing with her arms crossed and the weight to one side of her body. This is her reaction to a person, not of color, who is reaching to touch her hair. Another interpretation of this painting is that she is making a statement of being natural. For too long society has forced a look of straight hair is better. With a new generation of naturalist, she is a symbol of a woman of color going “on natural.” The artist decided to use women of color in his painting because he feels that are the unknown beauty. He wants society to know that women of color are just as