#sepuya

[mentaltimetraveller]

Paul Mpagi Sepuya

Latent Figure, 2020, 50 x 75 inches

[clarkkantagain]

paul mpagi sepuya positioning

[francfernandez]

Dust Magazine, 2023

[creativespark]

Paul Mpagi Sepuya, Model Study (0X5A9487), 2021

[jhonnys-dust]

[mejakeme]

[smudgemark]

Sheryl Lee Ralph for the Black Women in Hollywood issue of Essence magazine. Photographed by Paul Mpagi Sepuya.

[thingstol00kat]

Copy Machines — zine exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum. BK NY Feb 2024

[collectionarchive]

by Paul Mpagi Sepuya

source: collectionarchive.tumblr.com

[imperfectfragilediary]

Paul Mpagi Sepuya A portrait 2018

[atna2-34-75]

Paul Mpagi Sebuya @ Peter Kilchmann

[mentaltimetraveller]

Paul Mpagi Sepuya, Darkroom Mirror (_2030976), 2017 Miami Beach 2019

[clarkkantagain]

paul mpagi sepuya twighlight studio

[burntsoft]

Self-portrait Study with Roses at Night (1709), (2015)

Figure With Poppies After RBN (2604), (2015)

[creativespark]

Paul Mpagi Sepuya, Model Study (0X5A7453)

[grrloveless]

This whole thing might be controversial but I've always thought I look my best in the reflection of the glass shower door. I like how my hair spikes over my head and my eyes and mouth seem posed but candid, if that makes sense (maybe not). But then I look down at my shoulders and see the light acne, I see the way that the rolls on my back stack on top of themself when I bend backward. I see my lack of shape. All of which I've never seen represented in an unfiltered way, things I've been made to feel should be corrected. But for the most part, I feel I still look my best which bothers me because I've never had my photo taken when I feel my best. Now this isn't to say that I want to take nudes in the shower and post them on the internet. It is however to say, that I think the human body deserves to be captured in it's most raw form. And I'm not talking about things from photographers like Paul Sepuya or Robert Mapplethorpe who seem to almost exclusively include skinny or conventionally attractive or white people (of course there are many exception but for the most part) I think the bodies that are covered in acne from head to toe and waists that aren't quite shaped, small or large, should be captured. I'm sick of body photography's provocation standard just being nude. I don't think that's enough anymore. I think that it's provocation now lies in unconventional skin types and uncomfortably average body types. And if these things can be captured in HD, then I believe people would see the humanity in them. I'm not sure if I want to make this my mission but I think it should be put out there. My doughy body with acne deserves your HD, because my doughy body with acne is far more genuine, therefore romantic, than defined muscles and porcelain skin. Rant ova!!!