Artist Behind the Brush

John P. Gomes

Hello everyone, my name is John P. Gomes. Everybody calls me John*SUN (from the Egyptian Sun God RA). I am one of the founders of TUDO’ DJUNTO+ and I do a little artwork on the side. I’ve been drawing since I was a little kid—my whole family has some type of art skill in one form or another.

I want to thank everybody out there for supporting this TUDO DJUNTO+ (ALL TOGETHER) movement for peace and unity. As Cape Verdeans, we have a duty to bring people together as one, in the way we used to care for one another—taking it back to our rais (roots). Our parents tried to show us the way, and we all have witnessed the love they had for one another. But somewhere, somehow, we got lost in America.

TUDO DJUNTO+ is our vehicle that’s guiding us back to the road where we all can make a difference to uplift our people.

Black people—we all must unite. We cannot grow if we don’t end Black-on-Black violence. This must be the first step, and then we can build a strong foundation for future generations to come. Or else, the same cycle continues. We do not have all the answers, but we know what has to be done. And we have proven that our methods have united numerous men from different areas together and allowed them to come together peacefully—which translates out there.

TUDO DJUNTO+ wants to reach the young, the hopeless, and open their eyes and show them their greatness.

I have a lot to say, and even caged up behind these walls, they will not stop us from uniting our people. Not because it’s the right thing to do—but because it’s the thing we must do. For all our people. And we welcome all people who support the movement and dream of ours: the Amílcar Cabral dream for his people.

I love art, music, and all that—so when I get in that zone, I create. When I draw, I’m free, and I can take it anywhere my mind takes me. And it’s vast—never-ending, always creating. I love it. It’s the best. I hope you see that when you look at my work.

I want to thank Iliana, Milton, Slim, Jacqui, Phat Steve, and everybody (too many to mention) who made it possible for me and members of the Art Team to share our work with the outside world. I created an Art Team Program here in MCI Norfolk that ran for years—then the DOC sent us new administrators that shut us down.

With art, with talent—you can’t just lock that up in the darkness. No. It will shine through somehow.

I hope everyone hears our war cry—“TUDO DJUNTO”—and yells it loud with us in solidarity, and assists us with our mission and goals for our collective future. With our artwork, we hope you enjoy the viewing and that you get something from them.

Sincerely,
John P. Gomes