This is Icky. A manifestation of my exploration into black girlhood, she represents the residue of historical structural inequities. She is the vehicle wherein which I explore access and exclusion, generational wealth, the environmental effects of redlining, and the essence of resilience. In the image, she appears and simultaneously rests her hand inside the open window of a home that she stands outside of.
Within the realm of JUST Space, Icky. occupies the crossroads between Gracious Space and Brave Space. The painting captures the pivotal moment of arrest when the stranger appears. It prompts immediate contemplation on whether embracing difference is a worthwhile pursuit, whether venturing beyond safety and comfort is a necessary challenge, and whether eliminating risk is even feasible. It mirrors the intricate decision of inviting the stranger not merely as an idea or intention, but as a conscious, real-time act.
Icky. is an homage to her. Yet, Icky. is also an invitation for self-reflection, inviting you, the audience, to engage with her narrative and contemplate your place within it.
