See What I'm Saying: Q&A w/ Clovis Brown

conducted by Kristen Robinson.

 

The Jamaican Gleaner describes him as “The cartoonist who draws blood.’

 

 

Clovis Brown, dubbed Jamaica's greatest satirist keeps his words short and sweet while serving artistic retribution with the Jamaica Observer as his high command. As an editorial cartoonist, Brown's satirical mastery is a double-edged sword. He has been called everything from a 'murderous soul sale in good condition' to 'provocative, ardent, passionate and educational.' Thus work is rewarding, but has it's downsides: frivolous lawsuits alleging defamation of character, misinterpretation, and often offensive regard.

However you see it, Clovis says his work holds no bias; it’s fueled only by “anger towards injustice whenever he sees it.”

Brown’s features range from the complexities of Black American solidarity with Jews and Palestinians to discussions on global reparations; addressing historical wrongs in a meaningful way. His commitment is to artistic expression and the social activism of connecting dots between people that are geographically close and emotionally apart.. His confrontational “partnership” with now freed Vybz Kartel, to Bounty Killer and founder of NotNice Records ( label home to Popcaan, Tommy Lee and Jah Vinci-one of Drake’s “biggest inspirations”) , encapsulates the nature of his truth wrapped in humor.  His commissioned works for Prime Ministers, Ambassadors and Governor Generals speak both for his company and clientele.

Overall, Clovis’s works push boundaries: including his recent collaboration with 20/20 Collections, a brand with intention to resonate with brilliant artists, who (past, present and future) dedicate themselves to their work and refuse to compromise or wax complacency. With that in mind we hope that you can see what we’re saying….

This is a candid interview with Mr. Clovis Brown , here to celebrate almost 6 years of ‘20/20 vision with us’.

 

 

 

Introduce Clovis Brown in 3 words…

Clovis: Illustrating my mind.

 

’Chase the Devil’ is about confronting negativity and pursuing positive energy. On their 1976 collaboration, Lee Scratch Perry told Max Romeo "not to start at the bottom, but from scratch”…how did ‘Chase the Devil’ with 20/20 Collections manifest?

 

Clovis: Steve put the idea to me and I did the rest, putting some fun to it.

 

 

 

 

You said in the past that your work draws  influence from John Buscema, who illustrated the Conan Comics. This overshadowed his own much respected and lesser known work. How was Buscema’s individual dynamic important  to you?

Clovis: Buscema's illustration always draw my attention, he puts motions and power to his drawings which encourages me to put these to my illustrations.

 

 

 

 

 

"Puzzled" reflects the confusion and escapism of social media. How do you unravel these complexities in your artwork? What has been your most challenging piece in this regard?

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7227njm45eo

 

 

 

Clovis: Social media is life, most challenging to me is what are we singing about today.

 

 

 

 

Indifference to public opinion is generally not perceived well.. As an artist what is the hardest part of not compromising heart?

"Over Your Head" symbolizes ideas that often go unnoticed or misunderstood by the public​- ‘woke’ culture has replaced ‘conscious’ with an atrophied and toxic scope.. How do you use  your cartoons to ensure important messages are not overlooked and ensure that they capture attention?

 

Clovis: This is it, people don't research what they are been preached to, so I opened their minds with the facts coming to you in simply illustrations.

 

 

 

 

20/20 is committed to our vision; clarity through authenticity and renewal; engaging with shared complexities, ‘underlying’ agreements.. . You've said before that people prefer to see a cartoon rather than a picture of the real situation.  Why does animation balance points of contention? How do you maintain a sense of genuine truth in your satire, especially when tackling misinformation?

 

Clovis: I try to be genuine because the truth hurts and I love to hear those spreading misinformation squell.

 

 

images courtesy of Jamaica Observer

 

 

 

 

 

‘Capital P’ magnifies censorship and the struggle for free speech, especially in entertainment and hip hop. Reflecting on the recent backlash against artists speaking out on political controversy over lyric censorship,  how do you address censorship in your satirical work?

https://abcnews.go.com/US/2-live-crew-members-back-battle-hip-hop/story?id=101214432 

 

 

 

 

Clovis: During the Trump trial, I see what having no free speech is like; I myself have been told to shut up. I put people who are hurt at the top, making their cry my issue.

 

 

 

images courtesy of LargeUp

 

Your ability to represent  resilience, social  injustice and political non-disclosure with couture is profound. How does fashion impact  your persuasion and emphasizing your truth?

Clovis: Well to me fashion fits anyone who it is rightfully theirs, men to men fashion, children to children fashion, you don't have adults wearing children clothes.

 

 

 

 

Strictly the Best (STB), one of the longest compilation series in reggae music and in the music business.

 

Las May, left, and Clovis Brown win award

 

 

Clovis Brown x  20/20 Collections collaboration,"Chase 2.0" now available here.

 

 

 

What would you create if you had no limitations? 

 

Clovis: I have always wanted to put my editorial cartoons that I do for the Jamaica Observer on t-shirts, that will put no limit on people's thought.

https://hip-hop-music.fandom.com/wiki/No_Limit_Records

Thank you Brother Clovis.

 

Check out the Jamaica Observer for weekly toons with Clovis.