artist statement
I am a painter from St. Louis named Olivia Ngozi Obi. Growing up in art class I remember we never learned about artists of underrepresented groups. As an Art teacher and visual artist, I want to give students a safe place to tell their own stories through visual art for a healthy way of self-expression. My work consists of stylization and vivid color schemes to evoke scenes from black women's experiences and dreams. I often take inspiration from famous traditional European masterworks of art however, I will incorporate underrepresented groups as the primary focus.  By reclaiming these portraits, have sought to start a dialogue about how black women's imagery has been distorted in society through time.

Through my artwork, I shed light on historical injustices of the portrayal of black women throughout western history, as well as the prejudices people of color have faced. The scenes portrayed exude divinity, ancestry, and embodiment of the Eve gene by showing what black women’s bodies can convey.  I apply Pressure by continuing to spread black joy and positivity through the vibrant colors used in the work. We often find black women in the center of a nuanced discourse about womanhood, and race, and constantly face misogynoir. The term Misogynoir refers to misogyny directed towards black women where race and gender both play a role. The term was coined by black feminist writer Moya Bailey. Painting is my way of creating representation as well as shedding light on the importance of a safe healing place for black women.