DOMINIQUE FIERRO
ARTIST. PHOTOGRAPHER. ACTIVIST.
Born and raised as a Haitian-American in the Washington, D.C. area, Dominique's passion for art and design is reflected through all variations of her work.
After studying Fashion photography at the Art Institute in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Dominique worked in the photography space for years. It wasn’t until a dark and difficult period in her life when she felt a sudden and unrelenting desire to bring paint and other forms of media into her artwork. She began exploring the use of mixed materials with her photography to create contemporary abstract pieces and portrait paintings.
Dominique explores the depths of the human mind and the belief systems we unconsciously create by exploring her own beliefs and the relationships in her own life. She is inspired by the duality of life’s simplicity and the underlying complex emotions that arise. She creates her art by following her intuitive guidance.
Dominique is a strong believer in giving back. She donates her time and a portion of her profits to human rights organizations that fight to end crimes against humanity, end genocide & empower women.
Artist statement :
My work is centered around breaking down outdated belief systems that are ingrained in us by our families, cultures, and society. I bring these issues to the surface and challenge them by asking the observer to question the emotions and beliefs that arise. I ask society to not react and live on autopilot but to wake up and become aware of the subconscious thoughts and decisions they are making.
We have all been programmed to believe certain beliefs as children and accepted them as law. This goes from religious beliefs, to how you process your emotions. Everything was passed on to you from a prior generation of limited and outdated thinking. My work explores breaking the cycles of intergenerational trauma and beliefs that no longer serve us and no longer serve the highest good of humanity. These beliefs shape our view on race, class, privilege, gender and societal norms. Why do you think and believe what you do now? When we turn the mirror on ourselves and ask where did that thought/feeling come from? Is it true? Does it feel good? Is there fear or prejudice behind it? Who taught me that and why?
Everything has a root, a beginning, a seed that has been planted. We just need to question if those roots are destroying the entire ecosystem or benefiting ourselves and humanity. The only way to do that is to turn the mirror on ourselves and look inward. That is the basis of what I explore with my work.
