port of harlem gambian education partnership
 
 
 
 
Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez

Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez
First Black Cosmonaut
(January 29, 1942 - )
Cuba


The world’s first Black cosmonaut is Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez. The Russians launched the Vietnam War veteran and a Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Romanenko into space aboard Soyuz 38 on September 18, 1980. Méndez’s space suit is preserved at the Museum of the Revolution in Havana.


“I thought about showing more of his cosmonaut suit, but I wanted people to recognize him for who he is and not what he became. Generally, I really like to focus on the face without adding distractions such as background noises, which his suit would have been. I used an air brush and stencils to create this image. The stencils allowed me to get certain features sharp including the shape of his cheek, nose, and eyes, with no ‘overspray.’ And, I used grey tones to give the image a classic look.”

- Artist Chris Meiselman

donate
 
 
cumberbath and mendez
 
 
Like Us On
like us on facebook

Follow Us On
follow us on twitter

See Us On
you tube


Send Us an Email
email

Our Business Sponsor

 
finger This Way to More of "From These Shores"