Prof.Dwain Ya'Ke Smith
Presented to The University of Texas at Arlington Libraries on the occasion of Promotion to Associate Professor, Prof. Dwain Ya'Ke Smith, Art, Fall 2016.
Item(s) added to the Libraries' collection:
Dawn
Ya’Ke., Gibson, M., & Dwain Ya’ke Smith. (2015). One hitta quitta ; Dawn. . Austin, Texas?: Exodus Filmworks.
The film means so much to me because it is loosely based on the struggle of my sister who has spent the past 15 years in and out of prison. In the press kit for the film I wrote this and it is the reason why I had to make this film:
I want for her to move past the damaged teenager she’s holding onto and move towards her destined self. I want her to see in herself what I see. To forgive herself. To free herself of the familiar and move into the rocky terrain that we call life. "dawn." is not only for my sister, but it is for my god-brother, my cousin, my surrogate brother, for all the people I grew up with who spent time in prisons across Texas and the country. The only words I know to say to them are: "I know it's hard, but starting a new life takes time, you just have to have patience.