Survivor of domestic violence. My art bears witness to resilience, dignity, and the quiet strength of the oppressed.
You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!
I love creating portraits of people who have endured hardship. It’s my way of showing them their own beauty and strength. I’m drawn to the way people keep going, the humor that survives, and the love that carries on even in difficult circumstances. There’s something in that I deeply respect.
Where do you find inspiration?When I first started out, I printed a fake press pass and took my 11-year-old son to the refugee camps during the Kosovo war. It was a shock, and I vowed to do whatever it took to help the oppressed be seen and heard. My inspiration comes from the dignity and love I’ve seen in people who continue to move forward, no matter what. I feel I owe it to them to at least see them. But also, they teach me to keep moving forward with love and dignity as well.
What would you do with $25,000?I would give some to an orphanage in Congo that I’m involved with. Beyond that, it would allow me to focus more on my art while continuing to rebuild a stable life for myself and my son. I’d also finally print my work and invest in new pieces I’ve started creating, combining photography with painting, field notes, and poetry.
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