When I was growing up a Rastaman was seen as a righteous and honourable man, an upstanding member of the community who garnered respect and admiration from his family and friends. A Rastaman was respected by everyone, even those who held different religious views, because of their resistance to Black oppression, dedication to clean living and their endless path to wisdom.
This image drawn is not a real person but the image of the Wise Rasta I have had in my head since I was a boy, the face of my conscience, the one I'd seek internal advice from and the type of man I hope to one day become.
Things have changed a lot and the view of the Rastaman is very different to many people, to the extent where you can buy fake rasta hats with locs sewn into them...but some of us remember the lessons of the path to righteousness and still hold the image of the wise rastaman close to heart.
This piece was intended to help me hold on to that image, and ensure that it does not become just another memory.
*As featured in the Differentiate Exhibition* now available on this site