James Spooner (born 1976) is an American film director, tattoo artist, and graphic novelist. He is best known for his 2003 documentary film Afro-Punk,[2] and for co-founding the Afropunk Festival.[3] He also directed the 2007 narrative film White Lies, Black Sheep.[4] His first graphic novel, titled The High Desert, was published in 2022.[5]
Spooner is the founder of the record label Kidney Room Records.[9] The label put out three records: Frail's single "Idle Hands Hold Nothing", Elements of Need and Jasmine's split single, and Swing Kids' self-titled single.
He worked as a host at On!, a late-night club event in New York City.[10]
In 2021, he was featured on the Broad's three-part documentary video series, Time Decorated: The Musical Influences of Jean-Michel Basquiat.[11]
Film
Spooner directed the documentary film, Afro-Punk.[12] It premiered at the 2003 Toronto International Film Festival.[13] The film featured black punk fans and musicians talking about music, race, and identity issues.[14] In the DIY tradition, Spooner toured the film across the country like a band, screening it over 300 times at college campuses and film festivals.[15]
The message boards on Afropunk.com became an online community where the users discuss fashion, film, racial identity, and gender politics.[16] After the release of the film, Spooner curated the party series Liberation Sessions, where the film was screened and the bands performed live.[17]
In 2005, Spooner and Matthew Morgan co-founded the Afropunk Festival in Brooklyn.[18] According to The New Yorker, it was "born of necessity, a reprieve from racism in punk spaces and a chance for black punks to build community with one another."[19] The annual festival has grown and been held not only in Brooklyn, but also in Atlanta, London, Paris, and Johannesburg.[20] In 2008, due to philosophical differences with its direction, Spooner ended his involvement with the festival.[21][22]
Spooner's first graphic novel, titled The High Desert, was published in 2022.[24]The Washington Post included the book in its list of the "10 Best Graphic Novels of 2022".[25] The book also won the 2023 Alex Awards.[26]
Personal life
Spooner is a vegan.[1] He is also a tattoo artist at Monocle Tattoo, where he and others pioneered vegan-friendly tattooing.[27] He currently lives in Los Angeles with his partner Lisa Nola and daughter.[1]
^Pressler, Jessica (January 28, 2007). "Truly Indie Fans". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 7, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
^Giorgis, Hannah (August 26, 2015). "Gentrifying Afropunk". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on September 2, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
