Nappy Curls

Oil on canvas 12 x 12 inches – 2026 Nappy Curls celebrates black womanhood, natural beauty, and the freedom to embrace oneself in a world that often pressures us to conform. I centred on the afro of a black woman, addressing the societal expectations that lead many black women to alter their natural hair to appear more beautiful, presentable, or professional. The painting questions why natural hair is mostly labelled untidy while straighter hair is considered more acceptable. By reclaiming a word often used to demean black hair, it turns a source of shame into one of pride, affirming the afro as an expression of identity, culture, and heritage. Ultimately, Nappy Curls is a reminder that black women should not have to change a part of themselves to fit into society's standards of beauty and acceptance.