Illustrator and concept artist for 'Sinners' discusses Oscar-nominated film

Black History Month & Artistic Representation: A Discussion with Nicholas Smith

Key Concepts:

• Concept Art: Visual development of a film’s aesthetic, including environments, characters, and key scenes, based on the script.
• Artivism: The practice of using art as a form of social and political activism.
• Legacy & Representation: The importance of accurately and powerfully portraying historical and cultural experiences, particularly those of marginalized communities.
• Civil Rights Anthem: Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Going to Come” as a pivotal song in the Civil Rights Movement.
• Visual Storytelling: Utilizing imagery to convey narratives and evoke emotional responses.

I. Record-Breaking Oscar Nominations for The Color Purple

The segment begins by highlighting the historical significance of The Color Purple receiving a record-setting 16 Oscar nominations, including nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, and acting awards. The film is noted for its predominantly Black cast, led by Michael B. Jordan, and directed by Ryan Coogler. The host emphasizes the film’s quality, stating it was “truly one of the best films of the year.” This sets the stage for a discussion about the artistic and cultural impact of the film.

II. The Role of the Concept Artist: Nicholas Smith & Ryan Coogler’s Collaboration

The interview focuses on Nicholas Smith, a concept artist who worked on The Color Purple. Smith clarifies his role for viewers unfamiliar with the profession: he receives the script and develops visual concepts for the film’s look and feel. He then hands this work over to the director and production team for execution. He emphasizes his long-standing collaborative relationship with Ryan Coogler, praising Coogler’s ability to bring these concepts to life. Smith specifically points to the visuals as a key strength of the film, noting how the concept art directly translates to impactful scenes on screen.

III. Artivism & Representing Black History

Smith describes himself as an “artivist,” blending art and activism. He explains that his work centers around highlighting marginalized communities, and The Color Purple provided a “grand scale” opportunity to do so. He states, “It’s phenomenal. I keep thinking about legacy and just the weight of how can we represent the legacy of the blues being black in the south.” He actively engages with young people, encouraging them to use their artistic abilities to address issues within their communities, asking, “how do you use your art to combine that with something that you need to fix in your community and how can you make artivism?” He acknowledges the historical precedent of art as activism, stating, “art really is activism and has been since the dawn of time.”

IV. A Change Is Going to Come: Visualizing a Civil Rights Anthem

The conversation shifts to Smith’s new children’s book, A Change Is Going to Come, based on the lyrics of Sam Cooke’s iconic civil rights anthem. Smith identifies the song as “the most important civil rights song of all time.” The book, commissioned by “little B,” visually interprets the song’s lyrics, following a young boy born by a river who uses photography to document the highs and lows of the Civil Rights era, culminating in the signing of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The book aims to make the song’s powerful message accessible to a younger audience.

V. Smith’s Outreach & Social Media Presence

The interview concludes with Smith providing information on how to connect with him and learn more about his work, specifically mentioning his Instagram handle: Nicholas Smith (with two “K”s – a detail attributed to his mother’s creativity).

Notable Quotes:

• Nicholas Smith: “I keep thinking about legacy and just the weight of how can we represent the legacy of the blues being black in the south.”
• Nicholas Smith: “I try to use creativity to inspire people to make a positive change.”
• Host: “I feel like there are a lot of what I call broken bones in the world. There's so much that's happening that needs to be addressed.”
• Nicholas Smith: “Sam Cooke’s ‘A Change Is Going to Come’ is the most important civil rights song of all time.”

Data & Statistics:

• The Color Purple received 16 Oscar nominations.
• Smith’s outreach extends to schools in New York, Hawaii, China, and India.

Logical Connections:

The segment flows logically from celebrating the success of The Color Purple to exploring the artistic process behind it, then to the broader themes of artivism and historical representation. The discussion of the children’s book serves as a concrete example of Smith’s commitment to using art to inspire positive change and educate future generations about the Civil Rights Movement.

Synthesis/Conclusion:

This segment highlights the power of art, particularly visual storytelling, in representing and preserving Black history and culture. Nicholas Smith’s work on The Color Purple and his children’s book demonstrate a commitment to “artivism” – using creativity to inspire social change and amplify the voices of marginalized communities. The interview underscores the importance of legacy, representation, and the enduring relevance of the Civil Rights Movement’s message of hope and progress.