“Since the #sayhername movement began, I have focused my work (minus commissioned pieces) solely on black women. Malcom X said long ago that the most oppressed person in this country is the black woman. Not only do I find the statement to be factual, I strive to change that narrative with my work.”

Sydney G. James

There’s a legacy on the wall

at 2301 E. 7th Street.

A gift of grace, beauty, strength and promise

a vast statement on a small street.

The awe-inspiring masterpiece

was created by a girl from the “D.”

Take it in . . . do admire,

all that it bespeaks.

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Meet Sydney G. James – the Detroit-raised muralist and fine artist responsible for the massive mural located at 2301 E. 7th Street, Long Beach, CA 90804. An artist since the age of three, James travels the world to share her gifts and evoke change through her art. Her murals can be seen in Hawaii, Ghana, New Orleans and more. In this interview, we learn more about the mural she painted as part of Pow Wow Long Beach, her Detroit roots, her musical influences and the origins of her brand and tagline, ‘Girl Raised in Detroit.’ Happy Discoveries.

SolShock: What inspired your beautiful mural on 7th street and how did the opportunity for Pow Wow Long Beach occur?

Sydney: I was invited by the Pow Wow Long Beach director’s to participate. The piece I painted on 7th street is a part of my ongoing, ever evolving series, “Appropriated Not Appreciated.” Each piece in the growing body of work addresses the state of black women in this country. Many want black girl attributes but no one wants black girl problems. This piece in particular has a Reclamation theme. Many of the things that we are often taunted and shamed about such as our hair, flamboyant personalities and how we dress, I addressed in this painting. Not only did I paint this large black woman but I accentuated all of the aforementioned items for the world to see beauty in them just as I do.

SolShock: Do you have favorite colors to work with?

Sydney: I honestly paint mainly with primary colors. Cadmium Red and Alizarin Crimson are my favorites to add to flesh tones.

SolShock: When you lived in L.A. in the early to mid-2000’s, did you spend much time in Long Beach?

Sydney: I would visit the Aquarium in Long Beach and go to the Long Beach Comic Con occasionally.

SolShock: What’s your favorite thing (or place) about Los Angeles and collaborating with L.A. artists?

Sydney: I have yet to collaborate with LA artists. But my favorite thing about the LA art scene is that the possibilities as an artist are seemingly endless.

SolShock: What was the inspiration behind “Girl Raised in Detroit”?

Sydney: The “Girl Raised in Detroit” (G.R.inD.) brand was created by my fellow artist, Lamar Landers in the earlier 2000s. I met Lamar when I moved back to Detroit in 2011. I had started an apparel company in which I was hand painting garments but had no brand name. He wasn’t using G.R.inD. At that time and didn’t have immediate plans for it so he gave me the name. It fit pretty perfectly because I’m a Detroit girl to the core of my being.

SolShock: What common characteristics does a girl (or any person) have that’s raised in Detroit?

Sydney: A common characteristic of someone raised in Detroit is we’re always happy to see black people when we walk in any given room. Detroit has such a rich black culture that the word “minority” doesn’t apply to us. We strut, we hustle, and we grind to achieve success.

SolShock: You have very a positive outlook on Detroit. How were you taught to embrace where you’re from?

Sydney: I’m a 3rd generation Detroiter. My grandparents on both sides moved here during the great migration. My dad was a foreman for the city and knew it from corner to corner. We are a family known for taking the scenic routes. I grew up in the Conant Gardens neighborhood which was the first place in the city (maybe the country) where blacks could build and own their own homes. Detroit is rich with history, culture and community. It has a past full of dark times but has managed to maintain the light. Detroit is a black Mecca to me.

SolShock: In a 2017 interview with “Rolling Out”, you stated that you wouldn’t change anything about yourself. How were you taught about confidence and what examples did you have growing up?

Sydney: I think confidence is always a combination of nature, nurture and winging it. I’m naturally a “jumper” even when I’m deathly afraid to “fall” but the nurture from my family, specifically my mother has taught me that I’ll always have a safety net.

SolShock: There have been articles over the last year or so that suggest a new Black Renaissance. Do you agree and how valuable do you think it is in today’s climate?

 Sydney: I agree. I think a black Renaissance is what will lead the charge in every social movement in need of improvement. It’s an uphill battle for sure. But I think artists, musicians and writers have always been at the forefront when it pertains to social, political and cultural issues. Duringa panel discussion I attended, Harry Belafonte said “it’s an artist’s duty to tell the truths of the time.” Those words stuck with me and try my best to live by them and let them live through me.

SolShock: What does the soundtrack to Sydney G. James art sound like and who are some of your favorite or most influential artists, rappers, songwriters?

Sydney: My soundtrack would seem kind of manic. It is a playlist filled with, trap music, 90s R&B, Radiohead, portis head, OutKast, Janis Joplin, the Chronic and Luther vandross with Citizen Cope mixed with TLC and some Guns and Roses for a garnish. Favorite musical artists are Andre 3000, Donny Hathaway, Kendrick Lamar, H.E.R., Anita Baker, Rachelle Ferrell, and Estelle to name very few.

SolShock: What was your most recent happy discovery?

Sydney: My most recent happy discovery was the realization that my target audience for my work (young black children and black women) are really paying attention to my work and they’re SEEING it! They’re happy to watch me while I’m creating it and they are taking with them the “anything’s possible” message that I hoped they would.

At the time of this interview, Sydney had just completed “Symbiosis” at the Detroit Artists Market gallery in Detroit, Gentleman Jack’s Arts, Beats and Lyrics traveling show, “Motor City Icon, the Spirit If Detroit” group show, “Outside In” group show, Pow Wow Worcester mural festival and Murals in he Market festival.

Discover and learn more about Sydney G. James’ art on Instagram, Facebook and her website.