This painting was done for The Black Lives Matter Social Justice Art Project in collaboration with City of Abbotsford and University of the Fraser Valley. This project aims to promotes blackness, supports healing and reflects harmony. My project features portrait of a black woman who looks directly at the viewers with flames in her eyes. Adorned in traditional gown, she stands strong in a powerful position with her hands clenched into a fist, resembling political solidarity. Her blazing eyes fueled by desire, confronts the viewers by enraging, encouraging and inspiring them to join her fight against racial injustice and brutality. 

“The Firefly” serves as a reminder for all the innocent lives lost. This portrait depicts strength of the black community and how they have put up a front against the unjust society of white supremacists. The firefly strives to bring justice, strength, healing and freedom to the black community and spread awareness to spark a conversation that would eventually instigate a change.

Your skin is your identity and not a crime! No one should ever have to endure injustice based on the color of their skin. Incidents of police brutality and racially motivated violence against the black community have given rise to Black Lives Matter, a social movement which works to eradicate white supremacy and dismantle racism.