While girls are socialised to be meek, obedient, silent, and placating, the figure in this piece appears to be bold and powerful. She is a force to be reckoned with. Her gaze is direct. She challenges the onlooker and takes up space. The form of the figure also engages in conversation with the Iyoba (Queen Mother), an ivory mask from 16th century Benin – pushing Black girls to tap into the power forged by the ancestors that came before them.
Paula Mans is a self-taught painter, collagist, and art educator based in Washington, DC. While Paula is a native Washingtonian, she spent many of her formative years living in Africa and Brazil. Her experiences throughout the African Diaspora shaped her identity and informed the development of her artistic voice. The artist views collage as emblematic of the cultural and historical interconnectedness of the African Diaspora. Paula Man’s work has been presented at several solo and group exhibitions.
Artwork: The Kind of Quiet that Gathers Lightning