Art Mediums: fabric, sequins, glitter paper, glitter, gems, acrylic paint, chain, and rhinestones

My practice stems from the need to express myself genuinely, without the burden of ridicule from society, while exploring my identity as a Black womxn. I think about my liberation while creating my work, being able to have a few hours where my liberation/voice is fully safe and valued. I think about how I can further that glimpse of liberation past studio walls to distribute the wealth of liberation amongst all Black and Brown communities, specifically amongst Black womxn. That pressure weighs heavily on me. A sense of survivor's guilt showers over me in the form of making, until that making becomes oppressive, assimilation that feels comforting and productive. The imagery comes from sources such as music videos, fashion trends, performers, articles, album covers, popular adult magazines, historical context, my experience, etc. This collection of materials serves as content pornotropring Black bodies, misogynoir, queer femininity, negrophilla, and sensual aesthetic.

“There is a connection between my art's imagery and material choices. The main materials I use are textiles and glitter, both traditionally seen as crafty and feminine. The idea that all images are made by hand elaborately shows the labor I invested in the work. The glitter acts as an alluring performance that gets your attention and draws you, the viewer, closer, giving you a choice to interact with the imagery. Most people focus on the distracting shine.”

“My creative practice has gradually been changing to be more intuitive and nurturing to myself while making. I realized those changes led me to be more vulnerable with myself, which makes everything about creating feel more genuine even when it is difficult to come to terms with. It surprises me that artwork can provoke those unconscious emotions while creating.”

“An artist that I find inspiring is Wangechi Mutu. She was the first artist that I was introduced to, and I felt like I could understand my own experience through her work. She takes found images out of context and collages them into new contexts serving vastly complex and alluring narratives. I was able to see her artwork in person and was completely fangirling!”

Ric’kisha Taylor

Hibiki Miyazaki

Marilyn Montúfar