Black Women: uplifted, inspired, powerful, and yes…in the nude. Over the last year, several prominent, black female figures have posed for magazine covers in nothing but their birthday suits or simply walked au-natural through a public park. Jada Pinkett-Smith, Serena Williams, and Erykah Badu are all beautiful women in their own right who have challenged the status quo for the interpretation of a publicly naked black woman. For the most part, I would say that their bold moves to bare it all were respected and appreciated. Most viewers recognized that the decision came from a place of authenticity and each sought to battle the negative body images plaguing women and girls everywhere, regardless of race. Yet, what happens when a woman wants to pose nude and she’s not famous? Is she automatically classified as a “porn star” or put in the “adult” category of our minds?
Dara Mathis is the Content Director of Pangea’s Garden, an online community, website, and brand that promotes beautiful, natural black women in the nude. Founded by Vince Christie, Pangea’s Garden pays homage to the diversity of black women’s bodies: curves, skin complexions, and all. No, this is not a pornographic website, but I wouldn’t be surprised if you were aroused. Published bi-weekly, the images are sensual, provocative, proud, and artistic to promote uncovered black women without being degrading or exploitive.
Graciously, Dara agreed to talk with Z&A about the mission of The Garden, why it’s important for black women to embrace their nude, authentic selves, and some of the classic stereotypes that come with a project, such as Pangea’s Garden. When my partner first hipped me to The Garden, I definitely was intrigued. Men and women both can appreciate this unique initiative and respect these fearless, self-secure black women.
Z&A: Tell us about Pangea’s Garden. What inspired the project?
Pangea’s Garden was born from a desire to pay homage to and acknowledge the existence of a different aesthetic in black American culture. We believe that black is beautiful, and that the diversity of black women is to be celebrated. Pangea’s Garden seeks to shine the spotlight, so to speak, on the black women that we don’t see so often in the media and everyday life.
Z&A: You describe the project as “artistic…nude…provocative…proud.” How is Pangea’s Garden different from a pornographic website?
I’ll be honest and say that, for some people, it won’t be any different from a pornographic site. That classification is heavily dependent on the viewer’s mindset, and it would be disingenuous to pretend that a naked image of a beautiful woman isn’t rousing and inspiring in various ways. Our primary goal on the site isn’t to cheaply titillate or cater to a data bank of fantasies that derive from stereotypes. We are sensual and, yes, sexual in a manner that is never exploitative or degrading to our Earth Sistas.
Z&A: Who is the “Earth Sista?” What does she represent? How does she rouse black women to see their beauty?
The Earth Sista is that chick we all know and classify as “conscious” but play her too simply when we do. She is a representation of black women in a place where they are safe to be themselves with no apologies, a lover of her own spirit, a woman cognizant of the fact that she is powerful. An Earth Sista calls for women to recognize themselves in her wide hips, small breasts, spiraling hair, or button-shaped behind.
Z&A: Why is it important that black women embrace their authentic, natural selves in the nude?
Because our arms will always be there to embrace ourselves when no one else is around. We, as black women, individually and collectively, have to be the ones to gift each other with that validation first. Too often, our perception of beauty revolves around correction: we “fix” our hair, pluck our eyebrows, shave our legs, pubes and underarms, paint this or that nail, and run to hide under the covers in the dark when everything is stripped away. If we’re always adjusting ourselves before we see and love the foundation, we will never stop and pay respects to the naked woman in the mirror.
Z&A: How can we become involved in the project? How do you recruit your models and photographers?
Honestly, have a chance encounter with Vincent! So many of our image sets come from organic meetings and conversations. For those of you throughout the Internet who want to get involved, contact us through the site, and we’ll be glad to talk with you.
Z&A: Why should we help “cultivate” The Garden?
Cultivating Pangea’s Garden is a lesson in growth, no pun intended. Black women are so beautiful and so limitless that it is truly exciting to see where exploring that potential can lead. We see The Garden as a budding community of artists and muses collaborating, so there is always room for more.
To see more beautiful images and learn more, visit the Pangea’s Garden website.
Photo Credit: Model-Lois Lane, Photographer-Vincent Christie
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this is awesome. it's positive and definitely empowering. i don't know if you know this, but publisher of Vogue, Conde Nast, rejected the idea to have a Vogue Africa. i bring this up because it shows that there are still very few positive points of reference for Black women. it boggles me that magazines that have used numerous African inspired themes, jewelry, dresses, make-up, etc. refuses to highlight the center of their inspiration. that is why it is so important for us to do it positively and collectively as stated. AU NATURAL -no booty implants, no lip implants, no tanning beds!
Dae, I couldn't agree more. I did here about the rejection of Vogue Africa, but frankly, I wasn't surprised. Since magazines are not doing the best right now, it would be unlikely for Condenast to take a risk on a start-up print publication, ESPECIALLY one focusing on people of African descent. It's hard enough for us to get our images out there with publications that are doing decently well. When it comes to major corporations taking a risk on our behalf, you've got to be kidding me! I love Pangea's Garden because it's a grassroots project that promotes natural beauty. I hope that the “founder” of Vogue Africa will channel his energy into a brand of his own. We don't need corporate validation to share our beauty.
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