By utilizing visual motifs such as color, lighting, and symbolism, I highlight the sur-real quality of being Black, focusing on the aftermath of trauma rather than the trauma itself. I aim to convey vulnerability rather than strength, humanizing my subjects by distilling their essence in each painting. The performance and frequent repression of Blackness in environments marked by hate, misunderstanding, and fear enable my work to visualize the surreal and alienating core of the Black experience. My paintings expose the stress and anxiety that result from the weight of the performance and Black excellence that causes a state of heightened awareness of self.

In my new series, I explore the experience of Black identity using symbolic elements. Specifically, I incorporate a plastic “Thank You, Come Again” bag, placing it partially over the subject’s head or in the environment as a metaphor for the feelings of disposability and discomfort that can arise in predominantly white spaces.