Art Description (What inspired you to create the artwork?) This body of work I've created is a very sentimental one for a variety of reasons. To start off, I consider it a breath of fresh air in comparison to my previous photoshoots. I wanted to design something bright and refreshing that contrasted the dark, minimalistic and moody style I'd normally go for with most of my portraits. So, after thinking about what would be different for me to experiment with, I decided to create something colourful and chaotic.
The decision to use a palette of vivid/vibrant colours and embrace a more chaotic, collage-inspired editing style was a deliberate one. I wanted to evoke a sense of nostalgia particularly drawn from the vibrant aesthetics of the 90s. From the style of my model to the backdrop, it is clear that I took inspiration from 'Y2K' fashion and photoshoots. Each element of this project pays homage to the influential style of the 90s, particularly celebrating the creativity of black women and artists from that era.
In commemorating Black History Month, I not only wanted to experiment with something new but also create work that holds meaning and value as both a black woman and an artist who takes immense inspiration from the culture. As many may already be aware or experienced first hand, black culture thrived the greatest in the 1990s and looks from back then still influence many in today's society. Those years truly shaped it to be what it is now which is why it was the perfect era to throwback to.