My “Beautiful Voice” series celebrates women’s unbreakable strength, solidarity, and vibrant diversity through layered textures and colors. This body of work includes a short film, an immersive installation, and mixed-media collage paintings. As an African-born woman and former refugee, I deeply connect with each figure I paint. They embody beauty and resilience, their stories often untold yet profoundly powerful. Through their individuality, cultural identity, and physical form, I seek to amplify their voices.

Creating these pieces is my way of honoring women and emphasizing the importance of supporting them as leaders, professionals, mothers, sisters, and partners. I layer textured decorative papers from Japan, India, and other regions with paint to mirror the complex layers of identity and history within each figure. The strength and durability of the wood panels I use symbolize the resilience of the women I depict. The papers’ rich textures and cultural significance guide my process, offering organic movement and depth that shape each composition.

My layering technique reflects the multifaceted nature of women’s experiences. Variations in skin tones and collaged fabric patterns symbolize the diverse tapestry of their identities. The combination of paint and paper creates a unique interplay of light and color, lending a tactile quality that draws viewers into intimate engagement with each figure. Traditional African fabric motifs inspire many of my patterns, infusing cultural vibrancy and heritage into the work. Impressionistic facial features and expressive postures emphasize emotion and presence through simplified forms and bold lines.

This creative process is also deeply meditative for me, allowing for spiritual connection and personal healing while navigating life’s challenges. Through my art, I strive to honor and uplift women’s voices and remind us all of our collective responsibility to foster a world of equality, respect, and inclusion.