Charlene

Charlene, June 2021, Ink and watercolour on paper, 22”x30”

I created this piece as part of the “What is your story?” campaign in partnership with KPMG Canada. The purpose of the project was to connect local artists, with KPMG staff to share both our story, and theirs. To see the video this piece was based on follow this link: https://home.kpmg/ca/en/home/insights/2021/04/what-is-your-story.html

In creating this piece, I wanted to honour the ways in which Charlene chose to adorn herself on the day of her interview. To pay close attention to the jewelry, the patterns in her clothing, the colours she wore, her hairstyle, her makeup etc. I did this because I know that the ways in which Black folks dress ourselves is intentional. When we get dressed, especially as Black people, we are aware of the fact that people judge us on how we look. We take this opportunity to tell the outside world what we want them to know.

I also wanted to honour Charlene’s homelands through the Orchids I depicted, as they are the unofficial national plant of Kenya.