Bringing humanity to the forefront of a divided World
People Not Things is a traveling art exhibit and philosophy created by artist and advocate, Genesis Be. The statement “People Not Things” is a world centric ethos that prioritizes the human spirit as opposed to divisive labels and material interests. We believe that every person is a complex human being worthy of dignity, first and foremost. We seek to identify the barriers that prevent us from spiritual alignment and keep us from connecting with our fellow humans.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE OF PEOPLE NOT THINGS
Artist Statement
"My art liberates the ego from the prison of identity. I paint barriers to help me visualize the ideological and societal blocks that keep me from connecting with my fellow humans, with nature, with myself. My goal is to deprogram myself from The Industry of Division, my art only documents this process. My work challenges divisive labels and confronts the barriers that perpetuate human disconnection and disrupt discourse. Through my art, I’m on a quest to heal myself from the disease of division, in hopes that this radiates to my audience.
People Not Things forever and ever."
- Genesis Be
New Book Out Now
People Not Things: Love Poems & Paintings for Humanity. Now available on Barnes & Nobles and Amazon.
The Amorous Tribe
The Lonely Collective
The Watchers
White Barriers
Black Barriers
Leap Of Faith
Genesis Be, a dynamic artist and advocate, harnesses the power of art to heal divided communities and challenge oppressive archetypes. Raised by her Black father and White mother in south Mississippi, Be has had to navigate the prison of identity in a state whose history is rife with racial violence, homophobia and suppressive systems. Her paintings, poetry and music serve as her platform for self exploration, radical self expression and self acceptance.
Her artistry transcends entertainment, serving as a catalyst for civil dialogue and action rooted in human connection and compassion. As an outspoken creative and advocate for human rights and collective liberation, she lobbied to have the Confederate flag removed from the design of the Mississippi state flag. Much of her advocacy is directly influenced by her grandfather, civil rights activist Reverend Clyde Briggs. Be continues to inspire and ignite difficult conversations that resonate far beyond the stage and gallery.
Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, VICE, Billboard and more. She is the subject of the documentary "Mississippi Turning" (unreleased) and continues the fight to improve race relations in her home state of Mississippi. She is also the founder of Strive Till I Rise and People Not Things.
