Flex on em’! Swizz Beatz now holds the most Gordon Parks photos in private hands
Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys have secured another bag through their private art stockpile The Dean Collection. Tuesday at the annual New York gala for the Gordon Parks Foundation the power couple announced that they own 80 works by the late photographer.
The Gordon Parks Foundation is aimed at permanently preserving the works of the quintessential photographer. It also supports the youth and blesses scholarships and fellowships to those who are in “the common search for a better life and a better world.”
The late renaissance man would be proud to know that his photographic eye still plays a role in our culture. His work is a staple in Black history and now that Swizz owns the largest group of original works by Parks in private hands, his photographs are guaranteed eternal life.
For those who don’t know who Gordon Parks is, watch Kendrick Lamar’s video for his hit song “ELEMENT.” Most of the dope visuals were inspired by the 20th century’s most important photographer.
The man behind the most iconic pictures of Blacks in America had so much swag. He beat the stats becoming the first Black American to direct a motion film we’ve all watched – Shaft.
If you think about it, lowkey, if there was no Parks there probably wouldn’t be any Spike Lee. In fact, Spike pulled up to the gala as well.
Damn, we owe it to Parks. Within Swizz and Keys’ collection are various works including pictures of Blacks’ first cultural leaders. Shout out to Parks for capturing dope pics of Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, and Langston Hughes.
Not to mention his dope aesthetic for fashion shoots and the life of Blacks during the Civil Rights movement.
Parks still hits the windows to our souls in a very effective way. As Swizz said, “Gordon is more important now than he ever was. The times have caught up with his photos… He let his lens shoot where his heart led him.”
Shout out to a legend. Bless up Gordon Parks.