Gabon-born, Canada-based photography Yannis Davy Guibinga is best known for his warm, vibrant portraits of black subjects.

In “The Darkest Color,” however, Guibinga goes in a decidedly darker direction to the explore the loaded history and connotation of the color black. The series stars Tania Fines & Madjou Diallo and features body painting by Jean Guy Leclerc.

“The Darkest Colour” is an abstract representation and visual reimagination of the inevitable loss of the Man in his battle with Death, very often pictured in the colour Black, or one similar to it.

The constant presence and proximity of Death that is felt by every individual throughout their lifetimes is represented in this series by the constant yet sometimes barely visible presence of a female form, looming over and interacting with the other subject. The absence of genitals on the seemingly male subject represents the universality of this struggle and the fact that every individual will die, regardless of the gender identity.

Through the study of the Human form and the overwhelming presence of the colour black, “The Darkest Colour” aims to interrogate, reinvestigate and redefine the stereotypes and preconceived notions not only about the colour black itself, but also about death. Rather than being seen as a tragedy, “The Darkest Colour” aims to reimagine the inevitable act of dying as a peaceful rest after the intense and sometimes turbulent journey that is Life.