Exhibitions:
Screening | Mills College | Oakland, CA | April 26, 2018
Screening | San Francisco State University | San Francisco, CA | March 10 & April 11, 2018
Obvious Magic: The Womanist Imaginary | Ashara Ekundayo Gallery | Oakland, CA | Mar 2 - April 14, 2018
The Black Woman is God | SOMArts Cultural Center | San Francisco, CA | July 20 - Aug 26, 2017
Artist Statement
Special Features: Mother of Tamir Rice, mother of Eric Garner, Alicia Garza co-founder of Black Lives Matter, and more
Revolution of the Angry Black Womxn invites viewers to digest the often silenced realities of social trauma experienced by Black womxn told by Black womxn themselves. This work is important in this crucial era where trauma informed identity lies at the intersections of movements like #BlackLivesMatter & #MeToo. Voices expanding age, accent, orientation, and complexion of the African diaspora name specific mental, physical, sexual, and emotional harm distinct to the Black womxn identity. In a society which historically values white males as top of the social hierarchy, this piece forces viewers to face realities of 21st Century America and demands acknowledgement of the Black womxn’s resilience in a society that normalizes her pain. This work is important for historicizing progress made and progress left to evolve in contemporary America.
In a combination of film and photography content, my production style entices the senses through the manipulation of light and sound. Faces appear from shadows representing truths brought to light that have traditionally been hidden and audio levels and repetitions amplify voices that have traditionally been silenced.
I was inspired to create this piece in order to reclaim the derogatory nature of being called an “Angry Black Womxn.” I desired to give myself, and help others give themselves, permission to be upset about being shamed for existing. The letters of LOVE are capitalized in the title to symbolize the radical act of returning within to find love when positioned as a Black womxn in American society. In recognizing my own bouts with guilt for feeling not only anger, but anxiety, depression, and insecurity, caused by my experiences within systems of oppression, I needed to make a piece that validated my experience, represented truths for my sistas to see reflections in, and simultaneously educated others.
rEVOLution of the Angry Black Womxn is for the intergenerational healing of all of us.
Reviews:
“I have a right to be mad and angry. I have a right to my joy and our triumph. Thank you for seeing, hearing, touching and loving all of me.”
“I was holding my breath. I commend you for sharing your pain, knowing our pain is shared and that bonds us. I felt like I was given permission to breathe again.”
“As a white woman, I am guilty of making many assumptions and problematic statements about what it means to be Black. From these stories, I have learned to shut up and listen.”
“Powerful & raw. This is radical art.”
“I am the white mother of a Black daughter, Thank you.”
“I am a Black man. This struck a chord with me. There was a point when I wanted to snatch off my headphones. This makes me want to be more accountable.”
“It’s fucking crazy how Black women who don’t know each other experience the same shit.”
“So layered. I’m speechless.”
“Wow. This video surfaced so much for me and it almost hurts more to know that Black women share such universal trauma.”
“When I watched this video, I felt like I walked into my own brain. I heard my own voice and felt my own spirit. This reflects the experience of Black women in America during a time that is both beautiful and traumatizing. Thank you for this gift of art.”
“As a man, I got to see the world of a Black woman. This is important.”
“I got chills. My eyes got teary. I nodded in agreement a lot. Black womanhood is painfully complex.”
“You’ve touched my soul!”
“As a 75 year old white elder, it was intense and enlightening for me to see the pain of a life I never had to experience.”
“This brought me so much peace and strength. So many memories filled my head and I can’t stop smiling while also wanting to cry.”