Original Coloure Collective’s cofounder spotlights ‘superheroes’ in his latest photo series

The Original Coloure Collective was founded in January 2021 org with a mission to empower and promote Black creatives and minority-owned businesses during the pandemic. In its few months, the team has doubled from two to four, as founders Sara Crawford and André Wright Jr. brought on filmographer A. Bravo and Ryan Stewart, sound producer and gaffer.

Accordingly, photography is the focus. They’ve done photoshoots from Lucky Star Laundrymat on Fourth Street to the roof of the Hotel du Pont. They’re building a relationship with Buccini Pollin Group, which has given them access to elegant lounges and lobbies in its properties for model shoots. They’ve also shot at an old steel mill on the river.

“We wanted something that was urban and then bring the beautiful model Nadjah Nicole in, like a diamond in the rough, basically to elevate that whole scenery,” Wright said.

Bravo and Stewart are there to capture the behind-the-scenes action of the photoshoots, which Original Coloure Collective uses as content to showcase the the full experience of the projects beyond the final photographs.

While the Collective continues its mission, Wright will be showcasing another part of his life — as the first Black photographer for Wizard World Comic Con — in his new exhibition, “HERO,” opening at the MKT Gallery at 200 W. 9th St. in Wilmington on Friday, Oct. 8, at 5 p.m.

“This is a tribute to my mother,” Wright said. “She passed away from melanoma cancer on July 25, so this whole show is propped around her.”

The show will feature black-and-white portraits of the many screen heroes he’s photographed over the years, from Jason Momoa and Mike Colter to Gene Simmons and Lou Ferrigno.

“Basically I just wanted to showcase all these cool superheroes that I’ve photographed all these years,” he said. “Also, my mom is my superhero.”

The opening event will have elevated movie theater-type snacks and merch for the show, like you’d find at a comic con.

Andre’ Wright Jr.’s photographs on display at The Launchpad. (Photo by Holly Quinn)