Grace From Disgrace

As an artist, I strive to capture the intersection of history, culture, and identity. My latest piece, “Grace from Disgrace,” woodburned portraits of Anjanette Young and Breonna Taylor as Ghanaian Queen Mothers, represents a tribute to these remarkable women. These pieces, created on wooden doors, serve as powerful symbols of resilience and dignity. On the front of each door, Young and Taylor are adorned in regal kente cloth, jewelry, and Adinkra symbols. This embodies strength, grace, and the protection both queens deserved. This choice of attire is deliberate; it signifies the beauty and resilience that arise from moments of profound injustice. The kente cloth, traditionally a symbol of royalty and honor, in this context, also represents the blanket used to cover Anjanette Young during the wrongful police raid of her home, transforming a moment of indignity into one of empowerment, a moment of disgrace into grace.

The reverse sides of these doors reveal scenes of protest, drawing connections between the Civil Rights and Black Lives Matter movements. These images are juxtaposed with a depiction of the U.S. Capitol, synonymous with historical triumphs, defeats, and struggles for justice. The inclusion of Africa influences throughout the artwork bridges the gap between the diaspora experiences and the global vibration of these movements.

In these works, I seek to highlight the ongoing fight for racial equality and justice, emphasizing that the struggle is both a personal and collective journey. The stories of Anjanette Young and Breonna Taylor, depicted with the dignity they deserve, are reminders of the ongoing need for systemic change. Through "Grace from Disgrace," I honor their legacy and inspire reflection and action towards a better future.