Daniel Arnold Photographs the Boundless Creativity of Afropunk

Afropunk, the Brooklyn-based festival now celebrating its 14th year, has always been about much more than music. It is about black solidarity, boundless creativity, and what it means to fiercely love art and its ability to bring people together. Attending Afropunk, which takes place throughout the second to last weekend of August in Brooklyn’s Commodore Barry Park, feels like a much-needed respite from the world. People were there to dance. They also were there to heal—and the vibe is infectious. “This is my second year at Afropunk,” Ty Murray told me. “I remember walking in last year and being like, ‘Oh yeah, I have to come back.’”

Afropunk is also about self-expression, and this year involved some of the most elaborate outfits and costumes we’ve seen to date. There were people wearing angel wings and couples in bondage gear with intricate face paint. There were attendees in rainbow-patterned spandex and mothers and daughters sitting on the grass soaking up the music around them. Photographer Daniel Arnold was on hand to capture all the ineffable magic from this weekend’s festival.