Whether you are an art connoisseur or just simply like learning new things, you should spend a moment of your day to understand the importance of Afrofuturism. This artistic and cultural movement rethinks and reshapes Black people’s narratives and identities, asking speculative questions about the past, and thus acting as a counter-culture defying systems of oppression. Afrofuturism aims to offer an optimistic alternative vision of the future, which re-examines the role of technology through the lens of science-fiction, in order to give a voice to the marginalized. Music, visual arts and literature are at the core of Afrofuturism, and many artists around the world continue to explore its meaning and historical significance. Fictional heroic characters – such as Black Panther – have emerged from this movement, to re-establish a new identity in Black diasporic popular culture outside of racial stereotypes. Afrofuturism is a creative quest for a new identity which dares to imagine what life without dominance and exploitation could have been like and maybe could be in the future.
The origins of Afrofuturism
Social context
Martin Delany’s militant and revolutionary novel Blake: or the Huts of America, written in the mid-1800s, is considered to have been a precursor of the movement, depicting the experience of slavery in the 19th century. Afrofuturism became popularized in the 1970s with the heavy influence of spiritual jazz. This subgenre of jazz creates links between traditional African music and the developing space age, asking what it means to be ‘other’ through the imagery of aliens. This feeling of otherworldliness revealed a desire for things to change, which led Afrofuturist artists to position themselves as groundbreaking in the growing modern art scene. Do you know where the term ‘Afrofuturism’ comes from? It was first identified by the American scholar and critic Mark Dery, in his 1993 essay Black to the Future, in which he described “the African-American concerns in the context of the twentieth century […] that appropriates images of technology and a prosthetically enhanced future” (source: Wikipedia). Afrofuturism, as innovative as it is, couldn’t have existed without the process of decolonization.
Where do we come from? Where are we going?
Decolonization marked the beginning of a new quest for an African identity in the changing post-World War II society. How do we reimagine a brighter future, taking into account the psychological effects of the past from the perspective of the present? Afrofuturism addresses these struggles for independence and social justice through art, discussing the relationship between the African diaspora and a forgotten African culture. This “lack of origin”, a sense of non-belonging, brought new ways of representation to the forefront. Innovative practices began to emerge, expressing untold stories and emotions, which were no longer being systematically erased.
Sci-Fi for all!
The African diaspora found potential in science-fiction comic strips to build a radically new narrative, which in turn aimed to dismantle harmful stereotypes of African people, and act as a gateway to the possibility of a brighter future. Afrofuturism remodeled its own new version of sci-fi, as a reaction to “the obvious absence of people of color in the fictitious future/past […] seeds were planted in the imaginations of countless black kids who yearned to see themselves in warp-speed spaceships too.” (source: Ytasha Womack, Afrofuturism: The World of Black Sci-Fi and Fantasy Culture). Afrofuturist science-fiction allowed for greater freedom of expression and a more inclusive space to explore themes of racial and social injustice.
Marvel superhero Black Panther, imagined by comic book writer Stan Lee and cartoonist Jack Kirby in 1966, quickly became an Afrofuturist icon. Black Panther is the first superhero of African descent appearing in mainstream comicstrips, after Lee and Kirby’s realization of the absence of people of color amongst Marvel superheroes. Black Panther has supernatural abilities and access to highly-developed futuristic technologies. Black Panther (2018) and its sequel Wakanda Forever (2022) depict a futuristic advanced society, with flying ships and giant skyscrapers, offering audiences a proud and prosperous African nation untouched by colonialism.
Paving brighter paths with technology
Let’s turn the page to the second half of the 20th century, which saw the development of technology and the rise of technoculture in the 1980s. This was a turning point for the empowerment of Black people, who established a new discussion centered around the role of technology for the African diaspora. This made way for a revolutionary aesthetic and discourse, brimming with modernity and a desire for affirmation and reclamation. Afrofuturism envisioned an unprecedented landscape that was seen as emancipatory. Notions of freedom and liberation were pushed forward to describe the complexity of lived experiences in the postcolonial period. African art history entered into the contemporary art discourse and academia, engaging a critical discussion of shared postcolonial experiences. Revised curriculums in South African universities attempted to decolonise art, shifting the perspective from Western art to African aesthetics and culture, which later led to the student-led Rhodes must fall protest movement in 2015. (Source: Afrofuturism and decolonisation: using Black Panther as methodology, Danielle Becker, 2019).
Afrofuturist visual artists
The Expressive World of Jean-Michel Basquiat
Neo-expressionist and Primitivist painter Jean-Michel Basquiat has majorly contributed to the Afrofuturist movement. When discussing his influences, art’s “fallen angel” Basquiat mentions the term African ‘cultural memory’ which “follows [him] everywhere”. Basquiat’s painting Untitled (History of Black People) (1983) makes reference to the Atlantic and Egyptian slave trades. His social commentary targets colonialism through complex and innovative imagery and hidden meanings. His art often features modern codes such as logos, pictograms and diagrams. Inherently anchored in the technocultural tradition of Afrofuturism, Basquiat confronts oppression by acknowledging his long-lost heritage, which seeks recognition after centuries of dormancy.
Raphaël Federici’s universal language
Afrofuturism continues to be explored in visual art today, with Generation Y artists like Raphaël Federici. In the tradition of Basquiat, Federici’s Pop Art, Neo-expressionist paintings are influenced by his many travels around the world, where he acquires knowledge and experiences, which he incorporates into his work. Federici talks about liking “ancestral, culturally settled music” and the influence the West African Fulani nomads have on him (source: L’Obs, 2018). The artist describes his painting Pana (2021) as ‘Provencal Afrofuturism,’ perhaps in reference to his Corsican and Cameroonian origins, revealing a desire to reclaim tradition and get in touch with his roots.
New beginnings with Ayoola Gbolahan
Fascinated by the past and lost great civilisations, Afrofuturist Nigerian artist Ayoola Gbolahan acknowledges his ancestors, and reimagines new beginnings in his work on paper and canvas. The Wakanda Forever phenomenon triggered something in Gbolahan to explore the history and culture of the Nok people, an ancient Nigerian society, as a way of understanding the present, and gaining insights into the future. In The Awakened, the artist draws a link between the Nok civilization and the fictional country of Wakanda, pointing to their similar innovative nature. Both Wakanda and the Nok people are characterized by futuristic and innovative technologies, Wakanda with Kimoyo beads and magnetic levitation trains, and the Nok civilization with its early iron-work and terracotta sculptures. Gbolahan brings the Nok ancient society back to reality, giving them power and control. The Awakened symbolizes the search for distinct fragments of history, encapsulated in our collective fantasies, in the spirit of Afrofuturist adversity and hope. This artwork acts as a reminder that existing can be an act of resistance in itself, and has the potential to drive progress forward.
The superhero’s new look
“I like to think I don’t do typical Marvel movies,” admits Academy-award winning costume designer Ruther E. Carter, in an interview she gave to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Carter proves you don’t have to play by the book, with her cutting-edge science-fiction inspired garments for Black Panther and Wakanda Forever, which have been celebrated for making statements about race, culture and politics. Adele Cardani suggests that Carter’s designs “showcas[e] the style of those that are forward-thinking […] In the spirit of Afrofuturism, Carter’s fashion honors Black history in a way that depicts an affirmative future.” Carter takes inspiration from indigenous tribes to create super-hero futuristic costumes, connecting the past, present and future.
She seeks to empower the actors wearing her creations through vibrant, futuristic and original designs, rooted in African tradition. Carter explains how the costumes “combine elements of many African tribes – including the color red, the triangle shape, neck rings and beadwork.” (source: British Vogue, 2018). An exhibition in her honor entitled Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design was held in 2021 at the SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film in Atlanta, Georgia.
Dancing to the Afrofuturist Beat
Sun Ra the enigma
Sun Ra is one of the founders of Afrofuturism, and by far one of the most mysterious music artists of his time. Sun Ra’s career began in Chicago in the mid-1940s, when he radically revolutionized the relationship between music, African-American identity and technology. His experimental and avant-garde music was characterized by a blend of “cosmic philosophy,” electronic keyboards, chants and jaunty percussion, in order to establish a discussion centered around race, the cosmos and technology. The artist claims to have had a trip to Saturn during a religious meditation, where he encountered aliens who allegedly warned him of chaotic upheaval in the foreseeable future, and encouraged him to speak his truth through music. This experience led him to incorporate esoteric elements to his music, further emphasizing the spiritual dimension of Afrofuturism. He was a prolific and innovative artist in the free-jazz movement, leading the way for other artists to come.
Feel-good musical nostalgia in Beyoncé’s Renaissance
Beyoncé reminds us that she still deserves her title of “Queen B”, with her latest funk and disco inspired album Renaissance (2022). Do we dare say “Queen of Afrofuturism” too? In the cosmic track Alien Superstar, Beyoncé sings : ”We just reaching out to the solar system […] Supernatural love up in the air”. The word ‘unique’ is repeated throughout the song, to reiterate the unparalleled aspect of the movement. The album incorporates science-fiction elements to give an impression of transcending space and time, connecting past, present and future.
This is also done through direct references to the “Queen of Disco” Donna Summer in Summer Renaissance, which samples Summer’s hit I Feel Love. The idea of time travel through music is what Janell Hobson calls “the epitome of Afrofuturism” (Ms Magazine, 2022). Hobson continues on to write “this album effortlessly interweaves sound technologies across space and time in the most Afrofuturistic sense to connect Black communal sites of pleasure: from the ballroom to the dance club to the house party.” With Renaissance, Beyoncé steps into a new dimension for Afrofuturism, in which she celebrates the legacy of legendary past Black music artists to envision better futures. She proclaims freedom and joy as weapons against racism. Beyoncé is powerful, unique and in control, and isn’t afraid of stating it loud and clear.
Erykah Badu’s ethereal discography
Erykah Badu is often described by critics as being from another planet. The singer embraces an eccentric Afrofuturist persona, to promote social change for the Black diaspora. By constantly reinventing herself, Badu urges us to think outside the box, and explore different approaches to existing in the world. Her alternative music has greatly contributed to the Neo-soul genre, and still resonates today, as she promotes self-acceptance and owning her blackness. In the music video for Didn’t Cha Know (2001), we see the artist walking on an alien planet, displaying aesthetic elements of Afrofuturism: technology, tropes of the extraterrestrial, and science-fiction. The lyrics reveal her search for a new identity in the aftermath of conflict, as she looks back at the past in order to build a brighter future: “I’m trying to decide which way to go, I think I made a wrong turn back there somewhere […] Time to save the world.”
The cover art for the New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) (2010) album showcases Afrofuturist psychedelic visual characteristics. The singer is depicted as a cyborg, surrounded by flowers, with a backdrop of the moon and a dreamy purple sky. There is something magical emanating from this album cover, that reveals Badu’s multifaceted personality. The multitude of flowers can be seen as embodying the collective fantasies of Afrofuturism, and the presence of technology as a symbol of the innovative nature of Black culture.
Shaping the world of tomorrow
Black Lives Matter and technological power
Marek Pękacz
According to C. Brandon Ogbunu, “Afrofuturism’s importance also transcends the arts […] it provides a lens through which we can view the present and future.” (source: Wired, 2020). The article How Afrofuturism Can Help The World Mend points to the fact that Afrofuturism’s importance today is occurring on a global scale in modern societies. Social movements such as Black Lives Matter rebel against the institution of criminal justice and advocate for change. Afrofuturism, by looking to build a better future, can be a useful tool for social activists to spread their ideas worldwide and feel more empowered. Black Lives Matter and Afrofuturism are innovative movements that celebrate the unapologetic existence of Black African-Americans. They both call for action when unfairness has reached a tipping point. Black Lives Matter activists use technology and social media as a platform to drive progress and create positive change, by spreading ideas and inspiring people.
Many artists have explored and represented the Black Lives Matter movement through the Afrofuturism lens, such as artist Marek Pękacz in his digital on canvas BLM. One Corporation, One Religion, One Truth!. The photorealistic style and glitch effect used by Pękacz in his composition gives the artwork an ultra-modern effect, while staying in the tradition of Afrofuturism’s relationship to technology and innovation. Furthermore, the artist uses a lot of binary codes, hidden content in the form of meta pictures, and ultraviolet light in his work, echoing Basquiat’s paintings and his own use of complex hidden imagery.
Octavia E. Butler’s speculative literary fiction
Science-fiction novels are another popular art form for exploring Afrofuturist ideas. Visionary author Octavia E. Butler transformed the literary scene in the 1970s with her pivotal Afrofuturistic prose. Her characters were mostly Black women put in positions of power, a radically feminist stance to take for the time. In Butler’s most notable post-apocalyptic novel Parable of the Sower (1993), she writes: “Embrace diversity. Unite— Or be divided, robbed, ruled, killed By those who see you as prey. Embrace diversity Or be destroyed.” The novelist advocates for change, as she believes the problems she addresses in her work are mendable if we all come together in a common effort to build a better world. She writes stories about survival, always giving signs of hope to heal and move forward.
Butler’s work has had a reemergence in the context of Black History Month, as the issues she touches upon are more than relevant today. Butler’s novels and Black History Month celebrate identity, community and activism, which in turn increases visibility and recognition for Black artists around the world, inspiring generations of artists to come. Butler and Black African-American artists convey strong political and cultural commentary on American society. They question the concept of ‘history’ as a way of making sense of their past and gaining control over certain overlooked aspects of what we are taught at school in history class. These works are authentic, raw and autobiographical, shedding light on situations and heroic people of the past, relating them to the context of contemporary America and present-day concerns.
Afrofuturism and Ecology
Butler’s work has also been studied in the context of climate change and global warming. Parable of the Sower warns against the dangers of natural disasters if no action is taken. The character of Lauren lives in a world where rising seas and other signs of climate change are happening. She suffers from a condition called hyperempathy and as the story progresses, Lauren starts to wish more people could empathize with other human beings and the world that we inhabit the way she does. According to Butler, higher levels of consciousness and awareness would solve a lot of humanity’s problems. Creating a sense of community where people coexist peacefully, treat each other with kindness and work together toward a common goal is the central point Butler makes in her novel.
Embracing change
Butler’s writing has influenced other authors in shaping a better future, such as writer and activist Adrienne Maree Brown. Brown’s self-help and societal analysis Emergent strategy (2017) is based on Butler’s philosophy, and examines how change and transformation is an ever-constant process in humanity. The writer encourages readers to embrace collective social change and offers a deep insight into how we can turn it into a creative and joyful journey. Brown suggests we look at the world around us for answers, especially animals, ecosystems and the Universe, and the lessons we can learn to revolutionize societies as well as ourselves. Emergent strategy is an enlightening read, which offers new ways of articulating the dynamics of change to create new systems of justice and equity, which doesn’t leave anyone feeling left behind.
Rethinking humanity through the lens of Afrofuturism
Afrofuturism is a widely discussed topic and its popularity keeps getting stronger. Its rich history makes it one of the largest artistic movements in the contemporary conversation of race, equity, and justice. The intersection of technology, science-fiction and collective imagination offers alternatives for the future, by reexamining our relationship to the past and questioning the present. Afrofuturism keeps gaining in momentum, with artists such as Beyoncé, Erykah Badu and the blockbuster movie Black Panther spreading the movement to mainstream culture.
This cultural aesthetic offers the possibility of healing and building new identities for the African diaspora, whose heritage was forgotten or erased. By rethinking humanity, Afrofuturism helps the world move forward and think of new ways of approaching day-to-day life in the context of Black Lives Matter and climate change. Its emancipatory vision celebrates the uniqueness of black culture, power and resurrection, becoming one of the biggest vehicles for social change.
