Our weekly Portfolio Review series is all about highlighting young creatives of color creating impactful work in their respected industries. This week, photographer Salim Garcia catches up with artist and founder of jewelry brand Homage Year, Antoine Manning, to discuss the ethos of his emerging brands.
Keep reading below to learn more about Antoine, his work, and inspirations below.
First off, introduce yourself and let the world know why people should get to know you
My name is Antoine Manning. I am a multidisciplinary artist and I believe you should get to know me simply because I care. I care about the impact I leave behind. Day by day I aim to grow individually and artistically. I’m very conscious of the things I put out into this world. I do my best to be a light in hopes that it’ll radiate within the next person, and from there on to the next, in a continuous cycle.
Where are you from? How does your upbringing impact your creative process?
Prior to my siblings and me, all of my ancestors before me were Jamaican-born and bred. I was born in The Bronx, New York but grew up in a small town called Covington in Georgia. My upbringing, in terms of experiences along the way and the geographical influences that came with that, has impacted my creative process by showing me that this is my only way. It makes me go harder because I have a lot more to lose than I have to gain. Considering everything my parents went through to create a life for me, considering the insurmountable odds that I am up against, my upbringing constantly renews my vigor. Creating isn’t something I do purely because of my love and drive but also because the amount of people who have invested their energy into me is far too great for me to waste. My past and those involved have made me extremely motivated.
At the young age of 22, you’ve already created such a strong wave of energy, how does that feel for you? Do you feel like you’ve impacted Atlanta’s art culture in any way?
Honestly, it’s a blessing. I’ve dreamt of the days when I could impact the lives of my peers for the better, but to see dreams become tangible is something that words can’t describe. It reaffirms to me that all the hard work, trials, and sacrifices are always worth it.
I don’t think I’ve impacted the art culture at this point. If I have, it would probably be by helping creatives trust themselves and the process more. To acknowledge their gifts and utilize that for something greater. I try to stay away from thinking I’ve done anything at all, because truthfully without the support of the people of Atlanta, there is no shift, there is no “Antoine”. I believe Atlanta’s art culture, the people who contribute to it and those who have shown love have actually impacted my life more than I have impacted the creative culture of the city. I can only leave room for the creatives of the city to answer that.
What does “Homage Year” mean to you?
To me, Homage Year means to remember the years and everything that comes with that. Remember the good times and the bad, for me to remember who I have gained and never forget those who I have lost along the way. Homage Year means to remember who I am despite the adversity that comes with life. It also means growth to me, reminding me that I ultimately choose to move in a way that will propel me or inhibit me. It is a reminder that I have made it through many storms, so I can endure and make it through many more.
Why should people be interested in “Homage Year”?
Homage Year was idealized after the sudden death of my father and friends. With the intentions of immortalizing their existence with something positive and meaningful. From there, Homage Year was created with the goal of producing sociopolitical pieces that resonate beyond meaning but also in style.
Everyone should be interested in Homage because it’s a meaningful and thoughtful expression of the human experience. It is constantly growing and aging with our community and it sparks captivating conversations no matter your background. It is truly an impartial entity that only believes in peace, love, understanding and growth and that shows within the garments. So if that resonates with your intentions for your life, I’d argue that Homage is for you.
Would you consider your pieces to be genderless?
I definitely would consider all of our pieces genderless. We are also in the process of creating more silhouettes to further the genderless and fluid energy we aspire to reflect within our apparel.
Not only are you a fashion designer, but you also paint and model. Care to go into detail about your many creative endeavors?
My first creative means of expression was painting. I started painting in the fall of 2014 after the passing of my father. Since then my work has bloomed into a love child of surrealism and symbolism. Most of my work consists of self-portraits while addressing topics like mortality, love, and the overall experiences of life. My work is constantly evaluating my place in this world through the use of symbols that have been personalized. I also picked up poetry shortly after painting. Poetry is another outlet that I use to express my deepest feelings, fears, and even come to terms with trauma. Lastly, I have a passion for modeling as well, it gives me the chance to see the beauty within myself externally and internally. I used to be extremely insecure with myself but after modeling a new birth of self-confidence bloomed within me.
Does Atlanta play a role in your creative expression? How so? What does Atlanta mean to you?
Atlanta has equipped me with enough love and support to feel as if I can succeed anywhere. The people of Atlanta have groomed me to feel comfortable with myself as a creative and I’m forever grateful for that. Atlanta is home base for me and because of that, I intend to give back so much of what I believe they have given to me.
You create some unique pieces. One that comes to mind is the “Homage OVA Bag” Where do you get the inspiration for your designs? (All respect to magicians never revealing secrets behind the trick)
My inspiration for my designs come from life, from love, from the people in my life. In times past whenever I felt as if I lost my way, God, my friends and my family helped me find my way back. During this pandemic, it took a toll on pretty much everyone, if not physically, then mentally and emotionally. I wanted to channel all of that negative energy into something lively, vibrant and indicative of the new beginnings we will be experiencing as more solutions surface and to help others find their way back. Each bag also has a manifestation attached to it, those who bought the peach and avocado bag in April were manifesting either growth or tranquility in their lives and now every time they look at it, it almost acts as an affirmation/reminder to keep their minds and intentions on those things and it’ll be theirs. This May we’re dropping the bag in yellow and pink with manifestations for protection and passion. That’s as much as I can say though.
What does “I Have No Words,” mean to you. I see this quote frequently in your pieces.
I made it when I was going through a major low in my life but I felt as if I had to act like everything was fine, so I did.
I Have No Words is evocative and representative of a state in which most individuals, regardless of class or race, fall into at some point. Experiencing circumstances so great, that we truly lose the words to explain the feelings that we confront. With the inability to express, we then put on a superficial face, selling a facade that all is well, when in reality, I have no words.
The “Homage Thunderbolt” pendant is a spectacular piece. Where did you channel the energy for this concept?
I actually created this piece around the same time as the “I have no words” piece. I was motivated by my troubles at the time and the idea of the “storms of life”. For me, this piece was symbolic of the impending trials I was going through while also reminding me that one day it won’t be stormy anymore.
Most artists get boxed into one medium and stick to that medium. You swim through multiple mediums of creative expressions. How do you balance it all?
My balance is to never stop feeling. Emotions keep me grounded and humble. There’s only so much I can do in painting, there’s only so much I can do in design, there is only so much I can do with poetry. All outlets have their own limitations, I’m someone who doesn’t like to be limited, and when you’re feeling endless, there’s no limitation to the flow of expression.
What’s new for you and for Homage Year?
We are having our first LA and NY pop-up this summer. We will then be concluding this expansion with the final pop-up in ATL with exclusive items.
What a pleasure it was to interview you. Thank you. If you’d like to add anything else, please do so!
Please, follow me @manningantoine and/or @homageyear on Instagram for all updates! If you need help with anything, any advice, don’t hesitate to dm me! Your dreams are tangible, you just have to take that leap of faith. Please use my story as an example, please utilize your positive energy and take control of your destiny. You already won.
Photographed by Salim Garcia
Jewelry by Homage Year
Model Manning Antoine
