America the Beautiful

I was inspired to create this series by a quote from former First Lady Michelle Obama.  She said, “when they go low, we go high”. 

This collection of works is how “I go high”.  My intention for this series is to display the beauty of multiple versions of the American family.  Therefore, I began with my own family members.  

I used the elements of kente cloth and face-painting as symbols of culture and faith.  Face-painting is an ancient art form.  It was devised as a form of communication.  Often indigenous people on opposites sides of the earth create similar images and meanings to their face-painting without ever meeting each other.  

Therefore this art form is evidence of a global connection.  I recognize face-painting as one of the markers that show our bond as The Human Race.