PROJECT SAPPHIRE

THIS EXHIBITION EXPLORES THE SAPPHIRE CARICATURE AND THE ROLE IT HAS PLAYED IN SHAPING THE CULTURE OF TODAY. THROUGH THE CREATION OF THESE TEN PIECES, I SHINE LIGHT ON TEN AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN IN MY OWN FAMILY. EACH PIECE WAS CREATED BY CUTTING AND GLUING STRIPS OF PAPER AND MAGAZINES ON TO A CANVAS USING A TECHNIQUE SIMILAR TO PAPERMACHE. PHOTOGRAPHS WERE TAKEN OF EACH INDIVIDUAL AND THEN CUT INTO STRIPS AND LAYERED WITH MAGAZINES AND OTHER MATERIALS. THE SELECTED MAGAZINES ALL FEATURE SUBJECT MATTER THAT IS OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE FEMALE AND FEMININITY. THEY INCLUDE IMAGES OF THE HOME, FLOWERS, FOOD, AND FASHION. THE IMAGES ARE CUT AND USED TO BREAK UP THE PORTRAIT OF THE FACE. THE VIEWER IS TASKED TO LOOK BEYOND THE FRAGMENTED IMAGES AND TRULY SEE THE PERSON FOR WHO THEY ARE.

EACH SUBJECT WAS ASKED A SPECIFIC QUESTION ABOUT THEMSELVES, THEIR LIFE, OR PAST EXPERIENCES. THESE SIMPLE QUESTIONS GIVE VIEWERS A TASTE OF THE TRUE REALITY EACH OF THESE AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN HAVE AND CONTINUE TO LIVE.