A primary school art teacher from Columbus, Georgia is using his creative talent to illustrate the Black experience through art. Davian Chester, who is also a graphic designer, is “known as the Juneteenth Guy,” and his gift warrants much more attention. He has a knack for illustrating graphics that address burning topics in the Black community, including parenting, sexuality, relationships, police brutality, and more.
With less than 400 posts, Chester who goes by real_toons on Instagram, established an impressive 67.8k following. He first captured mainstream attention when he posted on Instagram recreations of some of Disney’s most enamored princesses and heroines.
The illustrations included Sleeping Beauty’s Princess Aurora, The Little Mermaid’s Ariel, Beauty and the Beast’s Belle, Merida from Brave, Elsa and Ana from Frozen, and Cinderella, just to name a few. What makes Chester’s artwork stand out is that the depictions of all of the leading ladies were transformed to represent women of color.
In one photo, Chester illustrates Belle reading I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, an award-winning poet and Black woman. In another illustration, Snow White is depicted rocking a big afro with full lips. To Chester, his artwork serves a greater purpose.
“I love sharing Black beauty,” Chester said. “I wanted something for our children — to see us associated with big names, and more representation.”
For his other artwork, he challenges conventional thought with provocative questions. See the amazing artwork below or on his Instagram account:
