I call this image ‘Linked’. It is one of seven images from my series ‘Moments Conjured’ that was exhibited last Saturday, 9/17 at Wa Na Wari’s art festival and fundraiser Walk the Block. The dimensions are 40’ by 26’ inches. When brainstorming imagery for the series, I imagined two models’ hair intertwined to represent the themes of self and community care.
Sarah and Jenei, who met for the first time at the shoot, instantly clicked. To see them find community in each other was gratifying and what I hoped for. Lavender, my favorite flower, adorns Sarah and Jenei’s puff ponytail. When the vision came together at the shoot, I exclaimed ‘I love you both’ and it was genuine. In awe of how effortlessly they styled their hair separately and then how seamlessly their hair linked on location, this moment reminded me of the magic of Black womanhood and our hair. I made a mental note to dedicate more care and creativity to my own hair.
In the time leading up to the photo shoot, I thought of ways I could invite more joy into the process, so I harvested the lavender decorating their hair while walking to unwind a few days prior to the shoot. Foraging for flowers and arranging a bouquet was grounding during an eventful week for me. It felt satisfying to see the flowers I lovingly picked taking on another purpose to beautify two women entrusting me with their image.