Twitter users have expressed disgust at a British photographer, Cameron-James Wilson, for creating Shudu Gram a black digital model.
They questioned the motive behind creating the invisible model after blacks. Some were of the opinion that he was racist for depicting dark coloured model in such derogatory way.
Shudu was modelled after black models like Duckie Thot, and has amassed a huge following on Instagram, with a repost from Rihanna fashion line, Fenty Beauty.
Like other world recognised model, the digital model has 39.3k followers on Instagram.
Speaking to Harper’s Bazaar, Wilson said Shudu is inspired by the recent “movement with dark skin models.”
He also revealed that Shudu was created using a 3D modelling program. He said:
“Basically, Shudu is my creation, she’s my art piece that I am working on at moment.
“She is not a real model, unfortunately, but she represents a lot of the real models of today. There’s a big kind of movement with dark skin models, so she represents them and is inspired by them.
“I use a 3D modelling program. It’s like virtual photography, so once I create her, I can kind of pose her in certain ways.
However, his creation did not seat well when everyone found out that the black, elegant supermodel wasn’t real.
See some comments:
I just found out Shudu, the beautiful Instagram model, is FAKE!!! I’m stunned!!! But I’m really disgusted at the fact that she(it, idk) is being used instead of actual dark skinned models!!!
— MO’NIQUE STAN ACCOUNT (@arollingbeauty) February 28, 2018
As much as I appreciate art I detest the fact that the minute dark skin is finally glamourized by the mainstream media a white man finds a way to commericalize & capitalize off it. Black skin is not a trend. Black skin is not a toy. Black women even more not so. #Shudu #FreeShudu pic.twitter.com/pu79IGcU1s
— Sonia Pratt (@adrianette_) February 28, 2018
Shudu has been out for a couple years, by the way. If brands were gonna start replacing our Black asses, they would’ve started when they first saw her
— Rio de Lua (@GuipureGwen) February 28, 2018
The creator of that Shudu girl follows me and so I DM’d him this. Interesting pic.twitter.com/uC1tPqNva4
— CHIVENGI (@fkavevo) February 28, 2018
Black models, specifically dark skin Black models are not a trend though. We should be the norm. Ok. Even though Shudu is a beautiful digital creation, I hope that he can shoot with real dark skin Black models and pay them accordingly too. https://t.co/2FGTZ2IoEm
— ?ecca? (@MJFinesseLover) February 27, 2018
Not for a second would I’m embarrass myself. What’s ignorant is people not doing their research into art and claiming all sorts of madness with no facts. https://t.co/x9lH03jBJD
— Jay Bannister (@jaybannisteruk) February 28, 2018
What’s wrong with sharing his art art? He’s clearly in 3d media.. He’s literally like any other guy who draws/animates people for fun?
& who said he was profiting of off Shudu? This is just a project. I swear twitter always wanna make issues that aren’t there https://t.co/oV1ZnUerBv
— Denise Anne (@denisetaquito) February 28, 2018
I get y’all are mad at the guy who created Shudu and want actual dark skinned models but I also want to see more black models in the 3D art category.
So is it impossible to have both?????
— NoMustyDemonShallProsper (@BABYGW0RL808) February 28, 2018
“Wilson created Shudu to represent the models of today and their beauty.” If anything this is a compliment. I believe that there are obvious benefits economic benefits to using comp. models. Think of the future
— Mufaro (@Mufaro05) February 28, 2018
Duckie Thot was the inspiration to create Shudu? Why not just use Duckie Thot? https://t.co/hZv7Dtvggf
— Killmongers swoop bang (@AbenSare) February 28, 2018
