Date of Award

5-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art

Department

Art

First Reader/Committee Chair

Almendarez, Francis

Abstract

My photographic practice emerges from my lived experience as a biracial woman in America, serving as a critical lens through which I explore and confront societal shortcomings. This body of work navigates the complexities of race, identity, and cultural memory, particularly focusing on the lasting impacstandards on communities of color especially Black individuals. Layered and multifaceted, my photographs oscillate between sociopolitical critique and intimate portrayals of everyday Black and Brown life, capturing themes of community, love, family, and hair.

Hair, as both subject and symbol, functions as a central motif throughout my work. By documenting commonly used beauty products and participating in hair care rituals with family members, I interrogate the beauty industry’s role in shaping and limiting Black identity. These interactions are both personal and political, revealing how hair operates as a site of resistance, cultural heritage, and creative power.

Through this work, I aim to create an entry point for diverse audiences those who may not connect with one layer might find resonance in another. While rooted in personal narrative, the photographs invite viewers to reflect, empathize, and find beauty in the quiet, everyday moments that define and sustain Black and Brown life. Ultimately, my work seeks to challenge dominant narratives while affirming the richness and resilience of marginalized communities.

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