Black Art Showcase

al H aile

Through every terrain, obstacle, and major event, Black woman will prevail. Every direction we turn our heads they are there, watching, guiding, smiling, crying, and protecting. “H’er Whey” is an ode to our ancestral mothers who look over us then, now, and wherever their children’s head lay.

U r U nna a nyanw U

My piece was done with digital media and the art program Krita. In my piece, a white hand is holding a candle, melting the Black woman’s skin, representative of the forceful removal of Africans centuries ago. Despite the eternal candle continuously melting her skin, she paints it back herself, similar to the ways different Black communities of the diaspora have rebuilt and embraced their individual cultures over the years. Like Sankofa, the many unique Black communities are retrieving strength and beauty for themselves despite the hardships imposed upon them by outsiders.

S avanna H B owman

“Decriminalization of the Durag”

2020

Dried flowers and acrylic on Canvas Pieces 1 and 2 of the “Decriminalizing the Durag” series

These portraits seek to juxtapose the delicacies of nature and the perception of Black men. Simultaneously, it sheds light on a cultural staple: the durag. This is a prominent piece in Black culture with a history that can be traced back to the 19th century.

D e S tin B U n DU

“Green

The pieces use the intimate and unique placement of eyes and flowers to depict our connection to the earth and its influence on our perception of the world. We water our eyes with our lived experiences hoping to grow lush gardens full of culture, beauty, and Blackness but understanding that darkness seeps in from time to time.

S ara H G aUD ron

This collection of images serve as hallmarks in my photography journey. For every picture, I can vividly remember what mood I was in and the excitement that I felt to capture the next shot. More importantly, these pictures represent the memories that will connect me with so many beautiful black people I have met on this campus. I have had the privilege of directly engaging with their beauty, talent, and energy in one of the most intimate forms of art. For that, I am grateful that with every step I take further into my artistry, I do it emboldened by the essence of black euphoria all around me.