Janelle Washington

Through the simplicity of paper, I create my art to teach and highlight the complex struggles and authentic beauty of black people and black culture.

Growing up, I didn’t see many pictures of black women as Queens either, historical or fictional or in many positions of power. From this lack of representation Dame Dame and Besa Saka were created to display black women in positions of power with grace and beauty. Using the format of a playing card, I experimented with ways to highlight black beauty through hair, patterns, symbols, and adornments.