A silent glimpse into the close-contact explorative discussion of natural hair.
CANTU: Part 2
Cantu
Cantu is a continuing series compromised of photos, videos, and face-to-face communal talks that delve into the subject of natural hair and how it often functions as a practice, methodology, and identity in black communities.
The process behind styling and maintaining natural hair is well known to those who have this texture of hair, but is rarely shared or discussed outside of these communities. The disconnect between process and final product causes a lack of awareness that forms itself in questions like:
“Why is your hair tied together like that?”
“Did you cut your hair?”
“What do you do with it?”
“Why does your hair stick up like that?”
“How did it grow so fast? It wasn't this long yesterday.”
“Is that your 'real' hair?”
“Do you ever straighten your hair? How long is it when it’s straight?”
and the most common (and dreaded) question,
“Can I touch it?”
These questions and more are able to be accessed and answered in this series using touch, sound, sight, and scent.
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Other Works
A large portion of my fine art works and exhibitions present my interpretation of out-of-body representations of mental illness as it exists in the mind and acts out in the physical manifestations of the body.
While treatment is a valid and often effective means of controlling the negative effects of mental illness, the process of reaching a comfortable homeostasis with active treatment is often hidden. The inner need of black women to continue to present themselves to the world as "strong, independent, and resilient" becomes a brick wall, blocking the rocky path to pursuing positive mental health practices.
Consequently, the story of black women who take the chance to climb said wall has rarely, if ever, been brought to life.
Content Warning:
The following content portrays themes relating to mental illness, suicidal ideation, mutilation, and body gore, and may be harmful or traumatizing to some audiences.
