ARTIST STATEMENT

My work grows out of my experience as a Black man trying to make sense of life, identity, and the ways we change over time. Painting is where I do most of that thinking. I'm interested in the many layers of the human experience, especially how Black people have been represented throughout history and how those stories continue to shape the present.

Photography has become a big part of the way I work. I constantly collect and archive images that catch my attention—hairstyles, jewelry, clothing, old photographs, and esoteric symbols. Some of these images are saved with a painting in mind, while others simply stay with me until they suddenly find their place. Over time, this growing collection has become less of a reference library and more like a visual journal, reflecting my curiosities, memories, and ongoing conversations with myself.

When I paint, I'm often trying to understand my own emotional and intellectual landscape. My work moves through moments of growth, confusion, grief, joy, and the search for clarity. Through figures, color, and symbolic imagery, I create spaces where personal experiences become something shared, inviting viewers to reflect on identity, belonging, and what it means to finally feel at home within yourself.