Acrylic painting and colored pencil on 36” x 24” canvas, part of the “Hold Me Close” exhibition hosted by SF Ocean Ave (details)

Braiding hair is a sacred and simple intimacy that demands an exchange of vulnerability. While simple enough to do easily for just about anyone, this act of love feels reserved for those precious to us, taught by generations of nurturers past. Monarch butterflies, much like immigrants in my family and many others, travel long distances to seek safety, love and belonging. They are woven into the femmes in this piece as a reminder of the ways we are held, generation by generation, with silent strength and beauty. This piece is a tribute to the hands and hair we’ve inherited from our ancestors, and a reminder that now more than ever, we need to protect our vulnerable immigrant communities and take care of each other. 

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