There are many elements in any given photograph, painting, or static image. For example, color or lighting, position of people, symmetry, foreground and background. Each of these elements have unique characteristics that work together to convey a certain message and to enhance the meaning of a photograph, painting or image. Kendrick Lamar’s album cover for “To Pimp a Butterfly” includes a variety of these elements to communicate several messages about black culture. The design uses monochromatic coloring, precise positioning, and symbolism to communicate an incendiary message of power and rebellion within the black community against American government. Lamar uses monochromatic coloring to show the divide between the black community and government. He uses the positioning to portray the rebellion of the black community against the government due to the unfair treatment. Finally, he uses symbolism to reflect the power the black community has within American culture.

The artist had certain intentions when choosing to make this image monochromatic. It forces the reader to look closer at the image to pick out details that blend in with each other. This allows the viewer to see more details, which is important to support the argument of the overall design. The monochromaticity also directs the viewer to focus on two main places; the white house and the group of men on the front lawn. The group of African-Americans is in the front of the image and are all dark while the white house is in the back of the picture and is lighter. The decision to contrast these two things is critical for conveying the message of a divide between these two groups; the black community and the American government. There have been countless arguments that the American government treats the black community unfairly. There have been protests within the black community fighting for their rights and their beliefs. The songs on this album reference a few of these protests including the Ferguson protest. The monochromaticity, along with the passed out judge at the bottom of the image, could be hinting at America’s justice system’s racial bias. If this image was not monochromatic, there would not be a distinct separation between the two groups, taking away the message of divide between them. Color in this image would bring out other things to focus on which would take away from the focus on the two distinct groups in the image. The X’s over the judge’s eyes take away power from the judge that he would normally have, giving the power to the group of men in the picture. Along with color choice, positioning plays an important role in the design.

The unfair treatment of the black community and the rebellion against the government is demonstrated by specific positioning within the design. There are about 25 people in this image, all African-American males, and there are three or four different levels that these men are on. There is a judge who is lying flat on the ground,  there is a row of men sitting and kneeling and in the back and there are people standing and reaching their arms in the sky. Lastly, the white house is the farthest thing back in the image. This positioning creates an upward line leading your eyes from the bottom of the image, from the passed out judge, to the top of the image, to the white house. This line gives the focus first to the group of men, and second to the white house hinting at an overtake in power or a rebellion within this group of African-Americans. If these people were beside the white house for instance, the message of rebellion would not remain. The fact that all of these men are surrounding and on top of this passed out judge gives them authority and depicts a rebellious action. The way that the group of men are standing and smiling gives them power. It makes it look like they have just won a rebellion against the government and have succeeded in getting justice. The choice to have a passed out judge in the image sends a message that no one should judge the African-American community based on the color of their skin. Not only is the judge strategically placed in the image, but he is also a symbol.

The symbols in this design play a role in arguing the deeper meaning of this album cover, that this group of African-Americans are rebelling against the government and standing up for their community. The judge symbolizes the American government's judicial system’s racial bias. The gang on the front lawn of the white house are all holding money and alcohol, which are both symbols of power. There is also a young child in the front, holding up the middle finger, which is a symbol of rebellion. Holding up this middle finger represents the disagreements the black community has against the government. The white house in the image is a symbol of the government. The fact that a group of African-American males are standing on the lawn of the white house displays an act of rebellion against the government and is an expression of the social movement of Black Lives Matter. The group of men storm the lawn of the white house because they are angry with the way they are treated unfairly by the government. These men are angry that white people and the government have more power over them. The image is showing the unfair distribution of power within society. If this gang were placed in a different setting with a new background, not including the white house, the message of rebellion against the government would not be existing in the photo.

The combination of many elements within this image conveys a message of a divide between the government and the African-American culture, power, and revolution within the African-American community. Without all of these elements being present, the same message would not be communicated and the meaning of the image would be something completely different.  Although this album cover represents the struggles throughout society, art can also be used to bring light to the good in society. Many other singers and songwriters use art on their album covers to foreshadow the ideas their music is going to be about. This shows how different forms of art can be used in different ways to express an idea or meaning. There is not a single effective way to portray a message, it is dependent upon the idea being presented and the style of the artist. Different people may also interpret art in different ways. There is no right or wrong way, but the artist usually has a certain message they want the viewer to see.