My work celebrates Black culture, with the goal of specifically representing Black women. My favourite portrayals of Black women and girls highlight their humanity and celebrate the personal joys in their lives. To be depicted as authentically human, without the portrayal of stereotypes and expectations, is truly a breath of fresh air.
Black women are constantly stripped of their femininity so I created a scene that illustrates unapologetic Black hyper-femininity. To showcase this, I used vibrant colours, rhinestones and glitter. These materials turn an average Saturday night scene into a romanticized frozen moment in time. I dream of a world where our Blackness can be separated from our personhood, without being questioned or denied.
Euro-centric beauty standards do not create a space for true Black expression. Historically “ghetto gold,” was seen as “too much” or “too loud” resulting in Black women being demeaned and belittled. Even through that, Black women embraced alternative fashion. Personal identity is encapsulated through acrylic nails and accessories. My work displays the diversity of Black beauty in that all of the women have different body types, hairstyles, skin tones and yet they are all viewed as equally beautiful.
This piece combats the inaccurate narratives of Black people, especially with alcohol. The relationship that Black people have with alcohol is often misconstrued. This work shows a group of women sharing an experience that doesn’t have their Blackness at the forefront. They are just women having fun, who just so happen to be Black. <3