Photographer Gets Accused Of Racism After His Perfect Black Model ‘Shudu’ Gets Instagram Famous
379Kviews
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.”
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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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 !
I wish I could upvote you countless times.
Same.
Exactly my thought after seein the pics! Thank you.
same actually
Could not agree more. I love painting black skin, light plays on it beautifully, bright colour pops next to it and everything comes out earthy, warm and rich. That and African women are so regal looking. This guys work is stunningly detailed it's so sad it's been taken the wrong way.
I agree with you 100%. I am grateful that I saw this. I think that she is absolutely stunning. The fact that there was no live model and this beauty came from the artist himself, makes it more personal, in my eyes.
agree. it really is that simple. if you delve too deep into anything you will find fault or agenda.
I’m black to but I’m also albino
There are people who find racism in anything.
I find your comment short and too the point. Well done.
I find that you need to chill dude. It's just a comment. The message got across fine.
Tell me Obediah, do you have to stand to eat? I would think it difficult to sit down to dinner with that Grammar Nazi stick so seem to have lodged in your a$$.
to
I read that "short and to the point" comment in Ron Swanson's voice xD
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
I find your comment grammatically incorrect.
I think people like these contribute big time to the lack of diversity and representation of varieties of people. This guy just invented the most beautiful woman according to his personal taste, and it just happens to be an African one. If I'd accuse him of anything, it would be of deceiving, but racism? *facepalm* (Also, did the commenter see his photos? Just because he's from Great Britain, it doesn't mean he's "white".)
i can't upvote this enough. they do that just to pick a fight. thank you.
yeah and that twitter user, UR local Shitheart, even threw in the misogyny bullshit on top of it.
And everything. Exhausting really.
OH MY GOODNESS anarkzie! I CAN'T EVEN BELIEVE HOW RACIST YOUR COMMENT IS? WE DON'T NEED YOUR TOXICITY IN 2018 OK! *sarcasm* *sarcasm*
Frankly this extreme racism thing is starting to look like a big excuse to me. We are living in a strange world. Everyone claim to be a unique individual and then they gang up criticizing for trivial things like the skin tone of a 3D model. They spit sentences with no reasons whatsoever.
I don't think anyone is objecting to her skin color! They're objecting to the fact that he created an image, rather than using a real model. Whether or not you think that criticism is valid, it's not the same as criticizing the artist for the skin tone of his 3D model. I do think it's great that someone created art that celebrates dark-skinned women. I would have preferred her to look a little more realistic, though. In real life she'd probably be about 9 feet tall!
yeap, i hate this NEW way of seen racism in everything, soon the color black will dissapear or cant be used cause its black??? COME ON!
There are also people who ignore others' experiences.
Racist people find racism in everything.
Imagine he would create caucasian (can we say white? I don't know anymore). How many people would accuse him of racism, because he DIDN'T create black? By the way, can somebody tell me what is "correct" way to call black people? I was told that African-American is the only not-racist way but when I said that it cannot be right because there are many black people who didn't left Africa for >100 generations.
Your comment has 38 letters. Hitler was elected in 1938. Die you Nazi scum!
@Echo I was replying to anarkzie's original comment, but some mistake put it under other comments too. BTW it was a sarcastic comment...
People please if you are replying to another reply in a comment put that persons name in your comment. We have no clue who you are directing you comments out. Am I supposed to go around counting all other replies to make something of yours?
Still what the fuck
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.
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.
BRAVO MINA!!
People who want to see or shout racism can always find a reason too. It's the will to see things that is the problem.
YOURE RIGHT!!! WHY are these people even SEEING color?!?! I do NOT!! I see a human being!! Its matters NOT who they are OR where they are from!!
Heh actually you saw an artist's representation of a human. I remember when this was previously posted. I thought it a weird post. It was about her being perfectly black or something like that. Funny we find out later that she is actually a digital thing. Amazing though just wow.
iF THE LADY WAS WHITE WOULD ANYOE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH HER NO SO SERIOUSLY THE NEGATIVE COMMENTS ARE THE RACIST ONES
Fact.
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 !
I wish I could upvote you countless times.
Same.
Exactly my thought after seein the pics! Thank you.
same actually
Could not agree more. I love painting black skin, light plays on it beautifully, bright colour pops next to it and everything comes out earthy, warm and rich. That and African women are so regal looking. This guys work is stunningly detailed it's so sad it's been taken the wrong way.
I agree with you 100%. I am grateful that I saw this. I think that she is absolutely stunning. The fact that there was no live model and this beauty came from the artist himself, makes it more personal, in my eyes.
agree. it really is that simple. if you delve too deep into anything you will find fault or agenda.
I’m black to but I’m also albino
There are people who find racism in anything.
I find your comment short and too the point. Well done.
I find that you need to chill dude. It's just a comment. The message got across fine.
Tell me Obediah, do you have to stand to eat? I would think it difficult to sit down to dinner with that Grammar Nazi stick so seem to have lodged in your a$$.
to
I read that "short and to the point" comment in Ron Swanson's voice xD
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
I find your comment grammatically incorrect.
I think people like these contribute big time to the lack of diversity and representation of varieties of people. This guy just invented the most beautiful woman according to his personal taste, and it just happens to be an African one. If I'd accuse him of anything, it would be of deceiving, but racism? *facepalm* (Also, did the commenter see his photos? Just because he's from Great Britain, it doesn't mean he's "white".)
i can't upvote this enough. they do that just to pick a fight. thank you.
yeah and that twitter user, UR local Shitheart, even threw in the misogyny bullshit on top of it.
And everything. Exhausting really.
OH MY GOODNESS anarkzie! I CAN'T EVEN BELIEVE HOW RACIST YOUR COMMENT IS? WE DON'T NEED YOUR TOXICITY IN 2018 OK! *sarcasm* *sarcasm*
Frankly this extreme racism thing is starting to look like a big excuse to me. We are living in a strange world. Everyone claim to be a unique individual and then they gang up criticizing for trivial things like the skin tone of a 3D model. They spit sentences with no reasons whatsoever.
I don't think anyone is objecting to her skin color! They're objecting to the fact that he created an image, rather than using a real model. Whether or not you think that criticism is valid, it's not the same as criticizing the artist for the skin tone of his 3D model. I do think it's great that someone created art that celebrates dark-skinned women. I would have preferred her to look a little more realistic, though. In real life she'd probably be about 9 feet tall!
yeap, i hate this NEW way of seen racism in everything, soon the color black will dissapear or cant be used cause its black??? COME ON!
There are also people who ignore others' experiences.
Racist people find racism in everything.
Imagine he would create caucasian (can we say white? I don't know anymore). How many people would accuse him of racism, because he DIDN'T create black? By the way, can somebody tell me what is "correct" way to call black people? I was told that African-American is the only not-racist way but when I said that it cannot be right because there are many black people who didn't left Africa for >100 generations.
Your comment has 38 letters. Hitler was elected in 1938. Die you Nazi scum!
@Echo I was replying to anarkzie's original comment, but some mistake put it under other comments too. BTW it was a sarcastic comment...
People please if you are replying to another reply in a comment put that persons name in your comment. We have no clue who you are directing you comments out. Am I supposed to go around counting all other replies to make something of yours?
Still what the fuck
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.
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.
BRAVO MINA!!
People who want to see or shout racism can always find a reason too. It's the will to see things that is the problem.
YOURE RIGHT!!! WHY are these people even SEEING color?!?! I do NOT!! I see a human being!! Its matters NOT who they are OR where they are from!!
Heh actually you saw an artist's representation of a human. I remember when this was previously posted. I thought it a weird post. It was about her being perfectly black or something like that. Funny we find out later that she is actually a digital thing. Amazing though just wow.
iF THE LADY WAS WHITE WOULD ANYOE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH HER NO SO SERIOUSLY THE NEGATIVE COMMENTS ARE THE RACIST ONES
Fact.