People Are Loving This Photographer's Photo Series Inspired By Solange's "Don't Touch My Hair"

    "Don't touch my crown."

    Ikran Dahir
    by Ikran Dahir

    BuzzFeed News Reporter

    This is Bobby Rogers, a 25-year-old visual artist from Minneapolis. His latest photo series "Don't Touch My Crown" has been making an impact online.

    Bobby Rogers

    Rogers told BuzzFeed News the project is a series of images inspired by Solange's song "Don't Touch My Hair".

    Bobby Rogers

    He said: "There is an interlude right before 'Don’t Touch My Hair' where [Solange's] mother proclaims the beauty of Blackness and in this transition the photographs were burned into my mind and I started journaling the concept."

    It was the fifth line of the song that really captured his imagination, although Rogers said the whole album, A Seat At The Table, was "viscerally stimulating work".

    Genius / Via genius.com

    Rogers has taken four photographs for the series so far and only released two to date. The response has already been amazing, he said.

    Bobby Rogers @Bobbyrogers_

    'Don't Touch My Crown' is my ongoing portrait series exploring the unearthly richness of our origins and beauty of… https://t.co/BK5B7djsZY

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    "I never think too deeply about how others will interpret the work," he said. "I enjoy waiting and engaging in dialogue if questions and statement of approval or disapproval arise."

    Rogers told BuzzFeed News: "There is a interdependent notion of the hair of our ancestors as not only untamed, but savage. It’s woven into our consciousness and the history of dismantling the notion is far less minimal than the history of maintaining it."

    Bobby Rogers

    "The photographs on a minimal level are beautiful images of black people that you’ll see in a gallery or on a screen that’ll be added to your subconscious rolodex of positivity associated with blackness," he added.

    "On a deeper level I’m hoping you’ll study the photographs and actively make an effort to understand and decolonize your understanding of the subject matter. Realize why black hair isn’t here for your critique and entertainment.

    "And as much as it hurts one's feelings to get snapped on for touching our crown, understand that our hair and bodies are just that: ours. Then ask yourself again why the title is 'Don’t Touch My Crown' and not 'Touch My Crown' as some have legitimately inquired."

    This isn't Rogers' first project to go viral online. He has also created a series on what it means to be black and Muslim in the US.

    Bobby Rogers @Bobbyrogers_

    #BeingBlackandMuslim portrait series –– 005 // portrait by @Bobbyrogers_

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    "Outside my plan to continue my #BeingBlackandMuslim project in the future, I’ve yet to work on a project over the course of several years where I capture images every few months," he continued. "It’s also a practice to create work that transcends time & trends. I’ll know about a year or two from now if it worked."

    People love Rogers' images and can't stop sharing them.

    manda 🍍 @Feminizing

    @Bobbyrogers_ @StDxJaciCakess Wow. These are breathtaking.

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    Lara Witt @Femmefeministe

    @Bobbyrogers_ These are BEAUTIFUL 😍

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    Idil Ali @IdilAHA

    @Bobbyrogers_ Stunning

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    Rogers currently has another photo series being exhibited at the Minnesota Museum of American Art. He will also be opening his first show at the Public Functionary in Minneapolis next month.

    Bobby Rogers @Bobbyrogers_

    Check out my project "ORIGINS: Spirit of Eve" gracing the cover of this years Water~Stone Review Vol. 19, 'Paper Bo… https://t.co/uEAmiO1Jum

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    "I’ll be curating the entire experience from the work, the environment, music, etc. It’s gonna be so lit," Rogers added. "I’ll be showing new work that I’ve been creating for the past year and literally can’t wait to finally put it into the universe."