Shikeith Cathey wanted to be a plastic surgeon at first. Now he aspires to be a creative director in the fashion world.

Although these two jobs seem vastly different, Cathey (senior-art) said what sparked his interest in plastic surgery was the idea of making someone feel beautiful. That interest is reflected in his new photography exhibit, "Ode to Black," which is on display now though Jan. 28 in the Paul Robeson Cultural Center.

His idea for the exhibit formed two years ago when he decided to take the styling of 18th-century African slaves and display it in a high-fashion light.

"It was hard to combine a message-driven focus with fashion, but I couldn't escape my fashion style -- I definitely nailed it," said Cathey, the creative director of Valley magazine.

Interim Director of the Robeson Center, Anthony Keith, said he's is always looking for talented student artists to display work that promotes social change. He thinks Cathey's exhibit is a success because of its intricacy.

"To have a student artist photographing other students and linking the African slave trade with fashion photography is something that certainly deserves recognition," Keith said. "I told Shikeith that we don't do favors at the Robeson Center, we do excellence, and what he has is excellence."

Cathey hopes people of African American descent can relate to the photographs and remember who their ancestors were.

"I hope that people are enlightened by the work and have an appreciation for what our ancestors went through," he said. "I hope they have a better understanding of history. Learn from the past and progress with our future."

In addition to the message and fashion aspect of the exhibit, Cathey added his personal signature, a veil, to one of the pieces.

The idea of the veil is also laced through many of the images.

"The veil is a reflection of insecurities, because I always wanted to be protected from people that saw me because I was really shy growing up," Cathey said.

Art is a personal means of expression that allows the viewers to see glimpses of the creator's life, he said. However, he noted that doesn't stop people from making judgments and from forming opinions on it.

"In art, people's opinions can get to you," Cathey said. "But you just have to make sure that they don't get the best of you."