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Photographer Gets Accused Of Racism After His Perfect Black Model ‘Shudu’ Gets Instagram Famous
There are thousands of beautiful Instagram models, but Shudu Gram is one of the kind.
Cameron-James Wilson is a 28-year-old self-taught British photographer who is the man behind the stunning dark-skinned model. He created the beautiful woman after teaching himself 3D modeling, using online resources and YouTube videos.
“Shudu represents what I’ve always seen as beautiful, but something I don’t see often enough,” Wilson told Isiuwa Igodan. “Although there’s a slight change happening now, more people need to question, what really is beautiful.”
Even though the artist claims he wanted to spread the message of empowerment and inclusivity and many praises his talent for digital art, there was a huge backlash from people around the web, saying that by creating a black model the photographer wants to take away jobs from real black women.
“A white photographer figured out a way to profit off of black women without ever having to pay one,” wrote one Twitter user. “Now pls, tell me how our economic system is in no way built on and quite frankly reliant on racism, misogyny, and blacksploitation.”
When asked what he thinks about all the negativity, Wilson says that he never had any ill intentions and is not planning on using Shudu as a commercial model. “To me she’s special, yes, but as are millions of real-life African men and women.”
RELATED:
There are thousands of beautiful models on Instagram, but Shudu Gram is one of a kind
She won the hearts of more than 40k followers with her flawless skin and an enchanting gaze
But lately, she generated even more buzz around her
Except for this time, it’s not because of her beauty
It’s because of the fact that she’s not actually a real model
Shudu Gram is a digital creation of Cameron-James Wilson, a 28-year-old self-taught photographer from Great Britain
He created Shudu after teaching himself 3D, using online resources and Youtube tutorials
“Shudu represents what I’ve always seen as beautiful, but something I don’t see often enough,” Wilson said
“Although there’s a slight change happening now, more people need to question, what really is beautiful”
“Shudu is just everything I’m passionate about brought together”
“She embodies the best parts of the things that inspire me”
“A lot of what we see in media is trying to be less real, with filters and makeup”
“Shudu is coming from the other direction”
“She’s a fantasy trying to break through into reality and I have plans to help her do so”
Even though the artist claims he wanted to spread the message of empowerment and inclusivity
There was a huge backlash from people around the web
Some people accused the photographer of racism
Image credits: hodayum
Image credits: GraceFVictory
Others, though, were standing behind the photographer and his art
Image credits: KosiHendricks
Image credits: foxcorpse_k
What do you think about Shudu?
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What do you think ?
SPORK! NFP 7 years ago
As a black woman I actually find this very touching and beautiful. The photographers muse is an ethereal and strong black woman. For those who don't understand artists and their deep connections to their muses (real or imaginary), it really is a passionate, personal and near sacred thing. Love this !
Daniel Sipes 7 years ago
I find your comment short and too the point. Well done.
Load More Replies...
Hans 7 years ago
Just argueing what a person of colour X should do with his digital creation in colour Y relating to real people of colour Z is a racist thought. Colours do not matter, people do. And whether you prefer digital art, actual models, or no pictures showing perfect beauty at all is personal choice. People discuss every fart today while forgetting that we drown in problems endangering the future of our children, and we do not even notice it.
李米娜 (Mina) 7 years ago
I compltely agree with you, everyone spouting about this being a racist act and a big hurt to black people are forgetting the real problems of racism we face today, different skin colours showing appreciation for others is wonderful, not racist, and the artist even said himself this is what he thinks is the MOST beautiful thing, he found his art, he loves, not hates. Other people take photos of real models, he doesn't, this doesnt mean he is crushing the dreams of black models, he is simply one artist who chose to do it another (and frankly amazing) way.
Load More Replies...
Michael Renfield 7 years ago
Uh..forget about the socio-political aspect of what YOU think the artist is trying to say. What about the fact that he taught himself 3D design and his work is better than most that actually go to school for it. Bravo! I am highly impressed with your motivation and attention to details.
Daria B 7 years ago
My thoughts exactly. My first impression was "wow! That's self-taught skill?! Which program is he using?"
Load More Replies... 李米娜 (Mina) 7 years ago
I think they're amazing pictures, and he is a DIGITAL artist, therefore he created a digital person, that's what makes it unique, instead of generic. And he did it very well. Does this mean if a black person created the same thing but of a white girl everyone would be like "hell no, the blacks are being racist against the whites!" No, everyone would be celebrating how 'inclusive' they were being, spread the love and all that. Skin colours are something to be celebrated, and by telling him he is not allowed to do anything concerning black people or anyone of another colour, it's creating racism and hostility. And if he created the same thing but of an asian girl, would anyone have this big of an objection? I think not. People are inventing these politics and hateful comments just to screw with the inclusiveness the world is finally beginning to see, I wish people could back off and appreciate art instead of finding problems with something that is just a cool idea.
anarkzie 7 years ago
The thing that annoys me about this is not every black person will complain about this(Proof Kosi above) but this will sadly be the take away point.
Load More Replies...
Bobbi Newell 7 years ago
Not everything is about racism or exploitation. People are just salty because they found out she's not real. They'd probably complain if he'd modeled a white woman, saying she wasn't diverse enough.
Gerry Higgins 7 years ago
If he made a white model he'd be racist for excluding blacks. As my mother said, "Can't win for losing"
SPORK! NFP 7 years ago
As a black woman I actually find this very touching and beautiful. The photographers muse is an ethereal and strong black woman. For those who don't understand artists and their deep connections to their muses (real or imaginary), it really is a passionate, personal and near sacred thing. Love this !
Daniel Sipes 7 years ago
I find your comment short and too the point. Well done.
Load More Replies... Hans 7 years ago
Just argueing what a person of colour X should do with his digital creation in colour Y relating to real people of colour Z is a racist thought. Colours do not matter, people do. And whether you prefer digital art, actual models, or no pictures showing perfect beauty at all is personal choice. People discuss every fart today while forgetting that we drown in problems endangering the future of our children, and we do not even notice it.
李米娜 (Mina) 7 years ago
I compltely agree with you, everyone spouting about this being a racist act and a big hurt to black people are forgetting the real problems of racism we face today, different skin colours showing appreciation for others is wonderful, not racist, and the artist even said himself this is what he thinks is the MOST beautiful thing, he found his art, he loves, not hates. Other people take photos of real models, he doesn't, this doesnt mean he is crushing the dreams of black models, he is simply one artist who chose to do it another (and frankly amazing) way.
Load More Replies... Michael Renfield 7 years ago
Uh..forget about the socio-political aspect of what YOU think the artist is trying to say. What about the fact that he taught himself 3D design and his work is better than most that actually go to school for it. Bravo! I am highly impressed with your motivation and attention to details.
Daria B 7 years ago
My thoughts exactly. My first impression was "wow! That's self-taught skill?! Which program is he using?"
Load More Replies... 李米娜 (Mina) 7 years ago
I think they're amazing pictures, and he is a DIGITAL artist, therefore he created a digital person, that's what makes it unique, instead of generic. And he did it very well. Does this mean if a black person created the same thing but of a white girl everyone would be like "hell no, the blacks are being racist against the whites!" No, everyone would be celebrating how 'inclusive' they were being, spread the love and all that. Skin colours are something to be celebrated, and by telling him he is not allowed to do anything concerning black people or anyone of another colour, it's creating racism and hostility. And if he created the same thing but of an asian girl, would anyone have this big of an objection? I think not. People are inventing these politics and hateful comments just to screw with the inclusiveness the world is finally beginning to see, I wish people could back off and appreciate art instead of finding problems with something that is just a cool idea.
anarkzie 7 years ago
The thing that annoys me about this is not every black person will complain about this(Proof Kosi above) but this will sadly be the take away point.
Load More Replies... Bobbi Newell 7 years ago
Not everything is about racism or exploitation. People are just salty because they found out she's not real. They'd probably complain if he'd modeled a white woman, saying she wasn't diverse enough.
Gerry Higgins 7 years ago
If he made a white model he'd be racist for excluding blacks. As my mother said, "Can't win for losing"
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