Q: Your work is a reflection of your experience as a Black woman growing up in predominantly white spaces. How do you approach translating those deeply personal experiences into your art, and what role does collage play in this process?

A: Collage art holds memories for me. All of the materials that I use are found images often from second hand stores. I intend to cherish what is left of the books, and hope to give the images new life, a new narrative. Growing up as a young Black girl, I learned to cherish the parts of life that I enjoyed, selecting what would define me, and what outside sources would influence me. Collage creates interesting relationships between my subjects (myself or other individuals) and scenarios they are likely to experience.

Q: Collage is such a unique and versatile medium. What drew you to the art form as your primary form of expression, and are there specific materials or images that you gravitate toward when creating a piece?

A: For me collage is a puzzle waiting to be solved. I enjoy piecing together a narrative with unrelated materials. As a child I enjoyed people watching, I was always in a state of sonder. I am fascinated by individuals and curious about their upbringing. Every personality is an amalgamation of individual experiences and perceptions of the world around us. I am often drawn to images that bring me comfort or remind me of something I am familiar with. As a child I perceived the world with a lot of color, and am often drawn to more saturated images.

Q: As someone studying Art and Visual Culture, how do you see your art shaping future conversations about race, identity, and perception in society? Have these themes evolved for you as you've progressed in your studies?

A: I hope to open people's eyes to the reality of being a Black woman. Chéree Thomas said that “We live in a society where those who don’t have to learn more, know more, or do more to survive, don’t.” In public spaces Black women must be conscious of how they present themselves at all times. I have grown more comfortable talking about my personal experiences as a Black woman, diving into subjects such as dance, and women's healthcare from the lens of a young African American.

Q: You’ve experimented with a variety of materials in your work. Are there any new materials or techniques you’re eager to explore, and how do you feel they might add to the narratives in your art?

A: I have recently started including hand drawn elements in my collage artworks. These elements make the work more personal to my own experiences and add character to my narratives.

Q: Collage involves layering images, textures, and stories. Do you see each layer as representing different parts of your journey, or is it more about the final piece as a whole? Can you share what your layering process means to you?

A: I enjoy creating relationships between subjects. I usually start with two found images and create a narrative from there. My perspective changes with each piece I create. I enjoy using line and color create cohesive stories. My artwork captures a specific memory, moment, or feeling in time. The final piece could remind me of a piece of media I viewed, an experience I had, or a song I love.

Q: What advice would you give to other young artists, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, who are just starting to explore themes of personal experience and expression in their work?

A: Every artist must believe that their story is worth telling, and their art is worth sharing (if they so choose!). As an artist, your experiences are your own and they are valid. Someone will resonate with you as an artist. We need your art, we need your voice!