Mother & Child

Black is Beautiful. A simple statement expected to reflect all the complexities of self definition people of African descent engage with while constantly navigating the many societal impositions of race and representation. One major complexity is the imposed perceptions of Black hair. I attempt to reflect this tension by merging the shape of a silhouette with the form of hair texture and curl pattern.Through realism, I attempt to acknowledge all the complexities that come with Black hair while showing how beautiful it is by simply existing in its natural state. The deep black silhouettes reflect both the richness of Black cultural expression and the often unrealistic hypervisibility imposed on Black existence as we attempt to express ourselves daily. Also the positioning of the figures reflect the ways our beauty and self love radiate from simple everyday experiences, whether it's a parent kissing their child on the head, children playing with others, or one simply combing their hair. We are beautiful by simply being. And our hair boldly reflects this.