When did you begin creating art and where do you draw inspiration from? I really started making art because it says things no one else does. My art reflects the things I care about. Being in the VPA program has been weird because I was only one of a few Black girls in my program. Even at Ammons Middle School, I was the only Black person in a lot of my classes. Art was only a hobby, but in Coral Reef’s art class I discovered so many black artists that inspired me so much, like Kehin-de Wiley and Kerry James Marshall.
For me, Black artists were just a topic no one ever spoke about. These people are very interesting. A lot of times, you look at a piece and you never really think about the person behind it. The Black Lives Matter movement is one that you seem to be extremely passionate about. Why do you think art is critical in a time like this, and what do you hope to change through art? I hope to change the way people see Black artists. By not knowing Black artists, it removes a whole section of art. We have so much to say about our America. Children’s art, Black people’s art, women’s art, has a lot more to say than a lot of people think. I am very vocal. in my art. I try to keep my compo
48
sure when I speak, but my art isn’t held back. Art is expression and emotion. If you look at it, the [Black Lives Matter] protests right now are emotion and expression. Art says a lot more than you think it would say; art right now is a mode to get emotion and frustration out. It also speaks up on things that not everyone can speak up on. I use art to pursue activism in my community. And I think to raise activism is to one: get people to ask questions— I want my art to stop and ask the questions— why was this added? Why is this issue so important? And two: to get Black people to know that whatever issues they are going through, other people are going through as well.
Let’s talk about Self-Portrait, a very personal piece. Is this what you want people to see of you or is this how you see yourself? The piece for me was during a very difficult time. I was working on a piece about the pressure Black men face in order to get signed to sports teams in order to afford college. I felt so much stress and it took me a full week just to plan that piece. I spoke to Mr. Mckinley and I said, “I hate this piece, I despise it.” I broke down. He told me to step away and start to work on another piece to get my mind off it. And that was Self-Portrait. The white section was to cover up an old piece I had started on, and in a way to release the weight of it from my shoulders.