ABOUT THE PROJECT

You Next is a photo series by Antonio Johnson that seeks to document the communities within black barber shops and explore the ways they operate as sites for identity formation and wellness work. Why “You Next”? In black barber shops, “you next” is said by barbers to customers to indicate that they’re on deck for a haircut. After waiting in a shop, sharing, laughing, debating, those magic words signify you are about to be transformed.

After much success with the series, Johnson hopes to expand conversations around the barbershop with the You Next Mural Project. Starting fall 2020, the artist will transform images from You Next into wheatpaste that will go up around the city of Atlanta, arguably the country’s black hair capitol.

These large-format (6ft. x 6ft) murals will include portraits taken in and around Atlanta barbershops and scenes from the shop. They’ll go up on walls of both occupied and abandoned buildings.

Because street art engages communities in ways museums and galleries simply cannot, it is Johnson’s hope that these murals will force public interaction and thought, and hopefully encourage investment in barbershops by exposing the beauty they hold to wider audiences.

BE A PART OF THE MURAL PROJECT

Antonio Johnson is looking for Atlanta-based barbers, barbershop proprietors and property owners to take part The You Next Mural Project. If you’re interested in participating in a shoot or want a mural placed on your building please complete the form below.