Today, we continue our exploration of black female artists who are contributing their voices to the field of photography. These women inform the cultural dialogue surrounding identity and representation as it relates to black narratives from the past and today. They also present an important visual perspective on black womanhood.
Ebony G. Patterson. Photo: Hayne Palmour
Ebony G. Patterson is a Jamaica-born mixed media artist, based in Lexington, KY. Her mesmerizing works combine beads, appliques, fabric, glitter, buttons, costume jewelry, trimming, rhinestones, magnetic letters, ribbons, and adhesive, among other materials on digital print on hand-cut watercolor paper.
Ebony G. Patterson, Brella Krew - detail from the Fambily series, 2011-13
Themes of gender and body politics influence her mixed media art and installations.
“I'm hoping . . . to pull the viewer in to see further and raise questions about how we engage in the act of looking.” - Ebony G. Patterson
Zakkiyyah Najeebah, Photo: G'Jordan Williams
Zakkiyyah Najeebah is a Chicago-based photographic artist, educator, and documentarian. She works predominantly within the realm of portraiture.
Zakkiyyah Najeebah, from We The Vanguard series (2016-)
Although she works primarily in photography, she has recently expanded into video and mixed media.
Zakkiyyah Najeebah from "Unfinished, In Honor and In Search Of" (2017-)
Zakkiyyah approaches her work as a means of practicing self-purpose and manifestation. If you're interested in reading her words about embracing your creative potential, I recommend this article.
Tonika L. Johnson. Photo: Matthew Avignone.
Tonika L. Johnson is another Chicago based visual artist. She is a photographer and community activist.
Tonika L. Johnson, from the series "Everyday Rituals."
Her photography shares the everyday beauty of her Englewood neighborhood community, challenging the pervasive misimpression that only crime and poverty exist there. She also takes on issues related to residential segregation.
Tonika L. Johnson, from the series "From the INside"
If you missed Part 1 of our celebration of Black History Month, you can catch up here.
There's much more information about these artists so I recommend that you click your way over to their websites and, as always, make sure to subscribe to this blog by providing your email at the bottom of this page so you never miss out on the latest foxcraft post (The next one will share some of my thoughts on the creative process and finding inspiration all around you.). By subscribing, you also get access to the foxcraft newsletter which only goes out to subscribers and contains all sorts of little extras and things that have perked my interest or gotten me jazzed lately.
I look forward to sharing with you.