Using magazine clippings, newspaper, and fabric, I recontextualize found materials to examine how African American men and women are represented and perceived in society. My collages juxtapose individuals with contrasting hair textures, facial features, body parts, environments, and clothing, reflecting the complexity of the African diaspora. Visually, these works address cultural appropriation, race, police brutality, stereotypes, identity, and the idealized beauty standards imposed on women of color. The process of cutting and manipulating these materials gives me control over how our story is told, allowing me to express the oppressive histories tied to the Black community. For centuries, representations of people of color have been tainted by discriminatory imagery. My contemporary collages challenge these reactionary views, highlighting the resilience, beauty, struggle, and solidarity inherent in the Black experience, which I explore through my creative practice.

Enhance, 2024
Collage, found imagery, hair pins, drawstring ponytails, hairnet