WHAT CHILDHOOD BRINGS

This mixed media collage and oil painting reinterpret the Caribbean artistic tradition known as Junkanoo, which dates back to the period of slavery in Jamaica. During that time, the enslaved would use found fabrics, materials, and objects to create masks and costumes, often with the intent of mocking their slave masters. This artwork contemporizes the concept of Junkanoo while delving into themes from my childhood in Jamaica and my adulthood in Detroit.

The central figure in the painting is a nude male, depicted as a self-portrait, standing against a landscape of Kingston, Jamaica. He holds a bouquet of Adey Abeba flowers, which are native to Ethiopia and traditionally given by children to elders to mark the change of seasons, symbolizing new beginnings. This bouquet represents both the societal expectations of masculinity I faced while growing up and the ancestral influences that shaped my understanding of identity. It also embodies the sense of discovery and renewal that has come from my journey from Jamaica to Detroit.

The painting expresses the joy of curiosity and the comfort I have found in my own body, emphasizing personal growth through the lens of immigration. By juxtaposing these elements, the work examines the complex interplay between cultural heritage, identity, and the pressures of traditional masculinity, ultimately leading to a celebration of self-acceptance and the beauty found in imperfection. Through the vibrant use of colors and textures, the piece invites viewers to reflect on their own experiences and the ways in which cultural and personal histories shape their identities.