June 2024 Google Doodle artist Christian Robinson seeks emancipation through art

As June 11 observances begin around the globe, commemorating the top of slavery within the United States after the Civil War, the timely work of art will function a reminder to anyone who uses the Google search engine.

“If Juneteenth is supposed to celebrate freedom from slavery and all this oppression and pain, I thought, ‘What’s the opposite of that?’ And for me it was fun, joy and relaxation,” he said. “So that is what I wanted to indicate. They’re just kids having fun; did you already know that descendants of enslaved people live their best lives?

While this is not his first Google Doodle or his first time performing internationally after collaborating with Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex on her best-selling kid’s book “The Bench,” Robinson emphasizes that this smaller work has the identical goal, what other projects do: making changes and making a difference in people’s lives.

When asked in regards to the creative process behind choosing Doodle’s colours, Robinson noted that the illustration’s palette of reds, yellows and greens was inspired by the “African-American flag” and its association with “Afrocentric strong colors.”

“(The) African-American flag represents a celebration of freedom and the memory of freedom that was denied,” noted Kevin Young, Andrew W. Mellon, director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum African American history and culture.

This 12 months’s Juneteenth Doodle features children double dutch jumping, a sport that’s culturally significant to Black Americans since it allows them to socialize, have a good time and feel liberated.

Featured Stories

Many artists discover certain points of themselves of their works. As for Robinson, he said, “Art was my liberation and continues to liberate me.”

“It helps me work through certain things, helps me understand certain things and helps me break free from them,” he added.

Having grown up in poverty, Robinson now puts his experience and talent to good use. Previously he collaborated with Objective to remind children that they matter through the product line and illustration within the book “Last stop on Targowa Street“

“At this early stage in my life, most of my desires came from not meeting these basic needs,” he said. “These basic resources and the fear of scarcity make me really feel safe now.”

As Google users experience Robinson’s work on June 16, their impact goes beyond simply inspiring others. It also signifies the illustrator’s own journey towards emancipation.

Eden Harris is an award-winning journalist from Washington, D.C. who enjoys writing about Africa and its many cultures. She has served as a domestic policy producer at Spectrum News and is an emerging leader in foreign affairs and the National Press Club.