My artistic journey culminated 2024 in “The Department of Art, Design and Art History Senior Exhibition Interlude: A Bridge between Time,” in the Historic Arcade Contemporary Art Projects in downtown St. Louis.
I created a three-dimensional installation titled HIDE OR PRIDE. The Installation talks about the shame (hidden) and stripping of one's identity and self-love, the pride of loving the skin you're in and embracing your individuality and growth. The idea behind it is very close to home; I am a mixed-race person who identifies as African American.
To be transparent, I have often struggled with the caucasian part of me ever since I learned about who my father is at 16. I never knew that side; all I knew was the family I was brought up with, but of course, I was the lightest. I often wanted to be beautiful like my grandmother and siblings with their skin tone and thicker hair. I have heard that of the opposite direction in my family and community. Which brought up some of the context for this piece: the brown paper bag testing, colorism, conformity etc. This is a huge topic with many layers so why not tackle it with multiple media.
I took into account my personal experiences as a person of color, the background, and the multifaceted meaning of the iconic fist symbolism. In addition to the community of people who have been directly or indirectly affected by the race related trauma. It reveals throughout the piece from having a diverse background in the people. Although they may look close to the same because of the monotone paper, as you look closely at the characteristics, they're all unique and different. In life, we must embrace our uniqueness but not outcast anyone for theirs.
Breakdown:
Screen printed fist (my own fist digitally drawn and manipulated, screen printed in multiple sizes and shades)
Sculptural fist (I cast my own fist in Alginate then in aluminum and finished with gold leaf)
Faces (Six people plaster casted total and then created duplicates with paperpulp, My face is technically the seventh face but framed with a gilded gold leaf strip instead of a paper strip.)
Everything has personal elements I used a wide array of materials and techniques for this project, such as Shibori indigo dying techniques, decorative paper, canvas drop cloth, sewing and stitching, letterpress printing, paint, brown paper bag pulp faces, fabric, screen printed fists, metal casted fist w. gold leaf utilizing frame, racks, grommets, and velcro for stability.
This dynamic piece is worthy of being seen, studied and felt. Not only is it relaying to my life as a BIPOC, but it can translate to other individuals in their life’s journey. I Aim to have my installation exhibited in another public space soon.
