- What inspired you to start YSDNDYart, and how did it all begin?
YSDNDYart was born out of a desire to challenge racial and societal biases through art. My journey started during lockdown when I rediscovered my passion for art after over a decade away from it. It began as a therapeutic outlet during a tough time, but as I continued creating, I noticed that people connected with my work and the message behind it. My personal experiences with racial bias in the corporate world also inspired me; I wanted to show, through art, that who we are is far deeper than skin colour. YSDNDYart has since evolved into a brand to challenge stereotypes, break down constructs, and promote inclusivity and equality.
- What does YSDNDYart stand for, and how does it reflect your artistic mission?
YSDNDYart stands for “Your Skin Does Not Define You.” My work focuses on creating portraits absent of natural skin tones to remove preconceived labels and judgments that often come with skin colour. I use vibrant colours, encouraging viewers to see beyond race and focus on individuality and humanity.
- Can you tell us about your creative process and the materials you use?
My primary medium is oil pastels. When creating each portrait, I choose colours intuitively, letting my emotions guide me. Afterward, I look up the meanings of the most dominant colour in the portrait, which always resonates with how I’m feeling at the time. This is how I name my portraits, which gives my art a deeply personal layer, and it resonates with viewers who interpret the colours in their own ways.
- How has your work been received, and what milestones are you most proud of?
The response to YSDNDYart has been incredibly encouraging. I’m honored to have won the BBI Creative Artist of the Year Award at the end of last year, which was a huge boost. Another proud moment was seeing my work displayed on the shutters of a shop on my local high street. Knowing that people connect with and appreciate the message behind my art, especially as a relatively new artist, means a lot to me. These achievements show that YSDNDYart has the potential to inspire real dialogue about race and identity, which is exactly what I aim to do.
- Your work has a strong social message. How do you hope YSDNDYart impacts people and society?
I’m challenging the notion that skin tone should hold as much weight as society places on it. Skin colour, after all, is just an evolutionary trait. My goal is to foster a more compassionate and inclusive view of humanity—one where we see each other for who we are beyond labels. Ultimately, I want my art to be part of a movement toward a fairer, more equal society.
- What’s next for YSDNDYart, and how can people get involved?
I’m looking forward to expanding YSDNDYart’s reach and continuing to host interactive workshops on colour in portraiture. I also plan to expand my sustainable merchandise that lets people carry this important message with them in their daily lives. With my prints, tote bags, coasters and other items, anyone can be an ambassador for YSDNDYart’s mission of equality. I’m excited to keep pushing creative boundaries and working towards making a positive social impact.
@ysdndy_art