ARTIST STATEMENT

My work focuses on  the repression of what it actually means to be black in America today. I started out creating these mobiles that began  this conversation  of slavery and the education of it at a very young age. The mobiles consisted of depictions of lynchings and wounded figures  positioned  in a whimsical  and childlike  environment. This work was made to show the importance of teaching young black kids of the world they live in , to prepare them. While on the other hand showing the unfairness  and adultification of these kids just to protect them.

As my work evolves so does this yearning for a happy ending, or at least a better of one. It does seem like a never ending battle. One thing I have personally  felt has and can help is self exploration and expression. The main symbol  I keep coming back to is the black bird. Powerful, free and never looking back. I often use the black bird to Express this; breaking free, rising to a higher ground, leaving the bruised and abused shell behind. Ultimately  we find our oneness , our strength and beauty  in our individuality  no matter what the world  thinks or does to us. I show this by creating personalized portraits to show the world we're  beautiful  and we matter.

When creating my work four things ring dear to me. Texture,  color, patterns, and found domestic items . I use household items like baking soda , tablecloths,  mats, tapes, giftwrap, mops,  and napkins. I started using these items because they bring me a sense of home, a sense of my past which is where this all started.

In the end I would hope that by growing in our oneness we can value  our differences and grow in  our togetherness.