Hair is a defining feature of the Black Community. It’s a form of expression. For years we’ve been told to straighten, cut, and perm our hair despite it being beautiful in its natural state. Black people have been oppressed because of our hair and we still feel the effects of this today. Through everything our hair is resilient and strong just like us. The piece I’ve created displays a few of the styles that have become staples in our community. These traditional styles have been passed down through generations. This is shown through the different marks that connect each panel to another.
Dealing with the beauty and struggles of having naturally curly and coily hair is a lifelong journey and I want that to be reflected here. There’s much diversity in our community and in our experiences. I included different body shapes and sizes, hair shapes and sizes, and skin colors so that everyone could see themselves in this image. This is a continuation of the idea that the natural world and natural hair are similar.
This piece was very process driven. Here I was learning how to stretch paper and create abstract backgrounds by manipulating water and paint with new techniques. I then drew faces into the surface. I wanted to emphasize the fluidity and versatility of black hair and highlight the beauty of black women. I followed the different paint strokes and marks on the paper to create the hairstyles. Their eyes are closed to further solidify the idea that their beauty is coming from within and shining outwards.
All the photos were taken by me, except for the girl. I added her in using photoshop. The majority of the images are of the historical neighborhood, Brush Park, in Detroit. I’ve juxtaposed the abandoned and neglected buildings in Detroit with the beauty of its people and historical architecture that still stands. I’ve chosen to criticize the gentrification that’s been currently taking place. Black people and the rich history and culture of Detroit are being pushed out by building things that cater to rich white people. Unaffordable housing is making Detroit not accessible to the people it was originally intended for. The rich impose themselves on us and neglect what needs help. We should invest time and money into rebuilding what’s already there and broken down. It’s up to black people to pick up the pieces. This piece currently lives at the Honors College at EMU.
For this piece, I chose to do two versions of the same black woman. One depicted in her normal warm color. The other is drawn blue with more cool tones. This drawing shows the duality that black women face when it comes to the appearance of their hair. One day you may feel more confident with your hair and the way you look because it’s a new style or freshly done, but then if it’s not as fresh or if you’re just having a bad day you may not feel as beautiful and confident. Through all the feelings we have we are still beautiful.
I created a woman that also doubles as a Fro-Tree. She’s walking away in nature and the idea was to compare the shapes in our hair and the way that we take care of it to the natural world. This woman is deeply connected to nature and one with it. By having her facing away from us as the viewers, her inner beauty and gracefulness is highlighted. You can see it in the way she moves confidently and in the way that her hair grows abundantly.