As a black female artist living in America, I feel that it is important to provide imagery that represents the black community in a way that encompasses positivity and relatability. Much of the legacy of African American art and expression has been based on the experiences and truths of black people and has often been created in opposition to the images and perceptions forced upon them by eurocentric ideologies. My current focus is building a body of work that captures the beauty of black culture and explores the depths of its universal qualities.
Throughout the development of my art career, I have worked with many different types of media such as colored pencil, pastel, pen and ink, watercolor, graphics and design, and sculpture. However, my primary medium of choice is acrylic paint which has enabled me to create works with a broad range of color and complexity. Every piece incorporates narration through human figures and portraits and embodies the artistic movement of surrealism. My goal is to tell stories, inspire new ideas, and challenge the way that people see the world through a perspective that is rooted in my own personal experiences as well as my understanding and connection with the experiences of others. I want the viewer to connect with my work on a level that exceeds its visual appeal and allows for them to interact with each piece psychologically and emotionally as well.
Art has always been my passion and has since become my voice in a society that seems to limit and silence you at every turn. I have learned that in art, the possibilities are endless and this very idea of possibility is what I want to represent through my work. As an expansion of my focus, I want to communicate the importance of representation in art, especially when it comes to art in the black community, and illustrate that we as black people can occupy any and every space, real and imaginary.