Performance Art
Performance from Hairitage Exhibition
Presented as part of the Hairitage exhibition, this performance aimed to illuminate the emotional and psychological labor that women of color often endure in preparing to step into a society that continues to police and politicize Black hair. It reflects the quiet, deeply personal moments behind the scenes—rituals of grooming that are rooted in both self-care and survival.
The work highlights the idea that Black hair is a natural and integral part of one’s identity—worthy of visibility, understanding, and celebration. The inclusion of the mask draws a powerful parallel between transformation and identity. Like the mask, our hair serves as a form of non-verbal communication, allowing us to express who we are without speaking a word.
The mask featured in the performance was inspired by traditional African forms, specifically from regions identified through my own ancestry DNA. By integrating ancestral symbolism with personal experience, the performance challenges societal norms while honoring Black hair as both cultural legacy and lived reality.
Untitled (2016 Performance)
This performance explores the ongoing struggle many African American women face in finding authentic representations of themselves in mainstream beauty media. The piece begins with me flipping through a series of beauty magazines, unable to find images of women who resemble me. Frustrated, I turn to the internet, seeking out traditional African hairstyles. I begin to braid my hair in the likeness of one of the images I discover, culminating in a quiet, affirming moment with myself in the mirror.
The performance reflects the emotional and psychological labor tied to beauty standards, as well as the significant time, cost, and privacy involved in Black hair care. It speaks to the intimacy of that process and the broader cultural dissonance Black women often navigate in the pursuit of self-recognition and self-love.
