afrofuturistic photographer tobi e makinde transforms an ordinary woman into an extraordinary bionic creature in new photo series

Afrofuturism is alive and well and photographer Tobi Makinde is making sure that Black women are at the forefront with this sexy photoshoot. The series is of an unnamed bionic character from the depths of his imagination. Tobi said, “This image came around the time where I wanted to create ideas and imagination is based on comic books and graphic novels that I had read in the past. I didn’t just want to re-create a look I wanted to imagine one. I used broken materials such as trash around the house that creates this particular look for example does a piece sticking on her head which is a vacuum tube there a PVC pipes on her finger and a couple foam core boards is wrapped around the arms and electrical wiring that was laying around. The idea is that she is a cog in repair, who, in order to create herself, needs these everyday materials. She is at the crossroads of everyday function and the need for superficial beauty.” Although the items are found in our everyday lives, Makinde and his team of make up artists and costume designers made the ordinary, extraordinary. The creativity of Black artists is unmatched and this project is proof that where there’s a will, there’s a way, and that way is headed toward the future.

By T. McLendon, AFROPUNK Contributor

Model: Makayla Wray @moomoomaw
MUA/ Costume: Belen Aguilar @b_aguilar329 / Sammy Kibbe @sammykibbe
Photographer: Tobi E Makinde.

Instagram