A Dae in the Life

Ursula Johnson on her photograph:

"With and an eye that bends toward the beauty and breadth of Blackness and a purposeful approach, I create vivid images that challenge the sentiment of those who claim they 'don’t see color.' This image was made on a bright spring afternoon. With sharp contrasts at play and a nearby tree as the backdrop, I lay on the ground to produce this photograph of Dae (the model) to showcase and symbolize Black gurl glory.

A Dae in the Life

(…of a Black Woman)

As a Black woman

working in, creating in,

and often occupying

predominantly white male spaces,

I know the barrenness of this world

can leave us disenchanted.

To me, this image depicts

the beauty that exists

when one decorates their soul

in spite of their circumstances.

It’s a reminder

that we don’t need permission

—and don’t have to wait for ideal conditions—

to bloom where we are planted."

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Please note that work by this particular artist might not be on view when you visit.
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