Welcome to Let’s Talk, a thought-provoking group mini-series that focuses on a variety of important conversations surrounding the complexities and experiences of Blackness.

Black Hair (2016-)

Black hair is a continuous topic of conversation, whether it's in the media or in the household. Conversations about Black hair focus on determining what is considered good, bad, professional, appropriate, etc. Using this photo project, the intention is to bring attention to the fact that Black hair is diverse and there is no right or wrong way to wear our hair.

Polaroid 2

"My hair is my strength, My identity, My guide."

"My hair is an extension of my blackness, being a woman, and embracing my natural beauty."

"Black hair is a journey. You won't know the destination, but you know you're going to a better place!! In the end you're going to love yourself!"

"I love God and the same God created the sun and the moon, the same God created me. So my hair is perfect and how it should be. To love God is to love myself."

"My hair is beautiful and courage."

"Love Black Natural Curls!"

"I love my crazy, curly hair it's a gift!"

"I feel as though black hair is sort of a puzzle one can construct in their own special way."

"Black hair can be frustrating, but I know it's a blessing. Once I found styles and products that work, I know me and my curls are unstoppable."

"Black hair to me is magic. Black hair is the universe. Black hair is nature. Black hair is beautiful and is beautiful in design and nature. Black hair is gold."

"As the daughter of a Rasta I learned very early that our hair is sacred. My hair and caring for my hair is a spiritual practice of self love. I meditate during my weeks hair care regime (Hair, DC, etc.)."

"Black hair is so versatile. You can change your look in an instant and become who you want to be."

"Black hair is a political statement whether we intend it to be or not. It took me 30 years to "claim"my hair. In claiming my hair I also claimed myself. Claiming it means I allow myself to be the only person with a claim on how my hair says anything about my identity. It is an extension of me, not a reflection on me."

"Biracial hair. Black hair. It ain't got no single texture. Do what it want. I been fighting it for a minute. Dreads seemed the least maintenance. Wash. Dry. Done. Since sixth grade it been working for me so...can't complain that my hair longer than my skirt."

"I've been natural for about 6 years. And all i can say is it's been a journey. I think I'm going to do another big chop and start again. I went on my haircare journey without too much info on it and wow I want to start again and be reborn."

"I have lots of happy surprises with my hair. On the days where I feel I don't look my best, I get the most compliments. But I learned that my best self, my "best me" is as effortless. And thats the beauty of natural hair :)."

"Your hair is apart of you and your culture. It's part of your personality and character. Not allowing others to judge you is the ultimate freedom and your hairstyle is an extension of that! Be Free! Be happy and if you choose...Be nappy!"

"Black hair...is revolutionary. A statement of self-love, especially when natural. I love my hair. Hat or no hat, I love our hair; kinky, curly, let it be."

"Grows as wise as a tree."

"Different shades of black."

"Black hair is universal."

"We defy gravity."

"Black hair, it's my crown! It's my glory! It's me!!!"

"I love my black hair, the diversity of it, the texture. I love being able to wake up rocking my curls, being able to switch it up with braids, twists, or flat ironed. it defines who I am as an individual and sets me apart from everyone else. Black hair rocks."

" I absolutely [love] Black natural hairstyles in all natural flavors."

"The uniqueness of our curl, our texture, the strength makes us stand out and makes all others curious about the versatility of our rich crown."

Polaroid_Project

Jul 8, 2016

"I do love my hair. It does make me feel very African. I've been getting positive comments about it and this makes me glad because I now understand that people of different races do appreciate a Black woman's hair."

Jul 8, 2016

"If I bought it, it's mine!"

Jul 8, 2016

"My hair rocks, my extensions rock, my Afro ROCKS!!!"

Jul 8, 2016

"I am not my 'Hair'. I am so much more than texture and length."

Jul 8, 2016

"My Black is beautiful. I love how my hair is long and strong, as I am!"

Jul 8, 2016

"Oh my god! Is that yours? You must be mixed."

Jul 8, 2016

Jul 10, 2016

"My hair is honey & magic."

Jul 10, 2016

"Pharaoh Inkabus: My lock does not scare people. Not knowing who I am, outside of preconceived myths, spooks them more than the loss. Once you know that I'm multitalented and awesome guy to hang around with, you'll automatically put the gangster myth in the lake (I'm not a gangster anyways, despite the fact that I'm a dread head)."

Jul 10, 2016

"I'm free."

Jul 10, 2016

"Natural, is beautiful."

Jul 10, 2016

Jul 23, 2016

"I get a lot of people saying your hair is nice and they ask how long it takes me to do my hair when I tell them they always say I can't sit that long."

Jul 23, 2016

"My hair is defiant. The way I intend for it to be, it never stays. My hair is super curly and what the world would call 4c. I fight with it a lot."

Jul 23, 2016

"My hair has seen ears pressed to knees and oiled scalps; weathered femininity with defiance and fell gracefully with introspect."

Jul 23, 2016

"My hair defies gravity...you can't tell me that's not magical!"

Jul 23, 2016

"Black hair is dope! We need to do more to embrace it."

Jul 23, 2016

Jul 27, 2016

"I used to say I am not my hair...unil I thought deeply about the fact of the matter...I actually am my hair. From the follicle coming out of my scalp to the outer cuticle of my coils. They stare at my curls for which I thought was a dislike for who I am, but they're just tryna figure out the science behind that black girl magic, and yes shrinking is real. I am my hair and I love every bend and twist of my curls and if you have a relaxer... it is okay! Because once those roots grow in, those curls do not lie. Grow it, sew it, cut it, fuck it, love it...!"

Jul 27, 2016

"It's an all natural way of living organically. Our hair is our crown and no one can take that away. Chemical free tresses are healthy and easy and care-free."

Jul 27, 2016

"Black hair is me. PERIOD. I don't feel I owe an explanation. I am proud of my hair. I love my hair; why change it? If I perm it, straighten it, add extensions, whatever--- it still grows the way God intended. And I'm fine with that cause I love Me :)."

Jul 27, 2016

"My black hair is my kinky, wonderful mess."

Jul 27, 2016

Jul 30, 2016

"My hair is another extension of me. It allows me to flow freely and truly express myself. The goal is to be organic & open to new experiences."

Jul 30, 2016

"Black hair is black people. Black hair is beautiful. Black hair is mysterious."

Jul 30, 2016

"Locs are our extensions to the greater universe; spiritual antennas." "Black hair is the most beautiful hair of all."

Jul 30, 2016

Aug 2, 2016

"Black hair is lively, unique, and Beautiful. Everyday is a statement of artistic expression."

Aug 2, 2016

Aug 4, 2016

"I love my hair."

Aug 4, 2016

"My hair is so curly, I don't like to comb them."

Aug 4, 2016

Colorism (2016)

Colorist is defined as the biased treatment of individuals based on their skin tone. Colorism can occur interracially (similar to race bias) or intra-racially, with members of the same race. Using both personal and shared experiences, I created a series of art works that emphasized skin tone specific comments.

The Black Figure (2017)

With the aid of the artistic technique of blind contour drawing, I began an intimate personal exploration. Blind Contour Drawing is an exercise that requires the artist to draw the outline of a subject without looking at the paper. I chose this technique because it forced me to actually sit and look at all of me. I wanted to take this as an opportunity to just appreciate my body, something that I found difficult to do for a long time.