The painting is part of a series inspired by Ishmael Reed's Mumbo Jumbo, a novel that explores themes of cultural conflict and the spread of African American culture as a form of resistance. In the book, Reed uses the concept of "Jes Grew"—a metaphorical epidemic of Black culture and spiritual awakening spreading throughout society—as a way to comment on cultural suppression and the reclamation of identity.
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The painting is part of a series inspired by Ishmael Reed's Mumbo Jumbo, a novel that explores themes of cultural conflict and the spread of African American culture as a form of resistance. In the book, Reed uses the concept of "Jes Grew"—a metaphorical epidemic of Black culture and spiritual awakening spreading throughout society—as a way to comment on cultural suppression and the reclamation of identity.
In Deceus's interpretation, the series draws a parallel between the novel's themes and the contemporary urban experience. The fire hose, twisted and chaotic, serves as a metaphor for the societal forces that attempt to contain cultural expression, while the hooded figure, perched atop, symbolizes a modern-day embodiment of "Jes Grew"—a resilient force that refuses to be silenced. The bright colors and layered textures echo the vibrancy and resistance embedded in both the novel and the artist's Haitian heritage, blending traditional motifs with contemporary struggles.
Deceus’s approach can be linked to Haitian American artists like Edouard Duval-Carrié, who similarly explore cultural histories and diaspora experiences, yet Deceus places a stronger emphasis on the African American experience in an urban setting, making his work distinct in how it resonates with the hybrid nature of identity and resistance.
