Art Quote by Ava DuVernay
![“As a Black woman filmmaker I feel that’s my job: visibility. And my preference within that job is Black subjectivity. Meaning I’m interested in the lives of Black folk as the subject. Not the predicate, not the tangent.[These stories] deserve to be told. Not as sociology, not as spectacle, not as…” quote by Ava DuVernay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/407/ava-duvernay-4018_art_as-a-black-woman-filmmaker-i-feel-that-s_614667.jpg)
“As a Black woman filmmaker I feel that’s my job: visibility. And my preference within that job is Black subjectivity. Meaning I’m interested in the lives of Black folk as the subject. Not the predicate, not the tangent.[These stories] deserve to be told. Not as sociology, not as spectacle, not as a singular event that happens every so often, but regularly and purposefully as truth and as art on an ongoing basis, as do the stories of all the women you love.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: 2020 Sundance Film Festival Q&A, Ava DuVernay, 2020
She argues that Black filmmakers must prioritize showing Black lives as central subjects, not peripheral or tokenized, and that such stories belong to art and truth.
In simple terms: Black creators should center Black experiences as the main focus.
Key Takeaway
Create work that places Black subjectivity at the core.
Themes
representation
authenticity
art
culture
visibility
Mood
determined
hopeful
assertive
Type
advocacy
inspirational
When to use this quote
- film production
- media education
- community workshops
- curated exhibitions
Key Concepts
subjectivity
narrative agency
intersectionality
Questions to Reflect On
- How can Black creators secure platforms for regular, purposeful storytelling?
- What structures support authentic representation without tokenism?
A Different Perspective
Balancing artistic vision with market pressures can limit consistent representation.
![“I believe it’s incredibly important to write against [racial] stereotypes. If we give in and make sure that all black women characters are asexual, gentle, and kind we wind up with another set of stereotypes.” quote by Justine Larbalestier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5fe/justine-larbalestier-9337_black_i-believe-it-s-incredibly-important-to-w_2225514.jpg)
![“[ Hollywood] is a patriarchy, headed by men and built for men.” quote by Ava DuVernay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/845/ava-duvernay-4018_built_hollywood-is-a-patriarchy-headed-by-men_308720.jpg)
