Manifestations of Me; my ongoing self-portrait series.
Over the past 15+ years, creating mixed-media art has lead to some great client commissions, collaborations and projects. But there was a point when I looked back at my portfolio and noticed that very few of my pieces featured Black women. As my awareness and knowledge in social and political topics grew, it became important for me to create art that was reflective of my own identity and perspectives. That’s how my self-portrait series, Manifestations of Me, was born.

For this ongoing series, I chose the self-portrait format because, as an artist who often works with others' photography, I wanted to take full control of every stage from start to finish. This time, it would be entirely my own—no obligations, no external input. Through this series, I aim to explore and express themes that are personal to me, such as pride, self-acceptance, empowerment, freedom, vulnerability and consent.

I prefer to work by hand, using traditional, analogue methods. There’s something about the tactile nature of drawing and the organic flow of colour that digital tools just don’t replicate for me. The imperfections, the texture of the paper, the bleeding of the inks—it all makes me feel more connected to the process. It’s a slower, more intimate way to work that allows me to practice the methodology and intentionality of my penmanship.

Seeing positive representations of Black women has always been impactful for me, and I wanted to bring more of that into my own art. Artists such as Toyin Ojih Odutola, Kehinde Wiley and Lina Iris Viktor have been huge inspirations for me. Their work encouraged me to celebrate Black women in my own way, through my own lens. By doing this, I hope my art can bring that same sense of joy and recognition to others. It’s a way for me to create something that feels more personal and authentic. And if it resonates with others, that’s even better.