Greenz Royals explores a lush re-imagination of landscapes within Grenada that place locals at the forefront. This series treats each subject as royals in the world they are surrounded by as a way to counteract the usual oppressive systems that try to devalue our inner royalty.
The idea to document black men and women in durags stemmed from my growing interest in documenting a process, rather than an outcome. There is a great beauty in black hair traditions that typically are reserved for private spaces, in which the legacies of these practices are measured in how well the hair is groomed. Therefore, I think a statement can always be made when the boundaries of public and private are deconstructed and we wear these hair practices to be seen.
As black women, we are always meant to function within a ‘Strong Black Woman’ trope, one that positions us as indestructible and unfazed to carrying the world’s burdens. For us to hold our own hands speaks on our perceived independence, but also touches on how supportive it is to be comforted by other black women. We create our own support systems where we are allowed to be vulnerable and tired.
Bájúláyé: Ode to Kin is an art film directed by Laura Alston, in conjunction with Somewhere Films, that visualizes the unity of three brothers through dance and movement. Using the words of Frantz Fanon, the film illustrates how expressive movement is a practice of liberation.