Hair, art, and identity

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2012-05

Authors

Coleman, Christina Blair

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Abstract

The purpose of this report is to discuss the artwork I have produced over the past three years while in attendance at The University of Texas at Austin. My artwork consists of sculptures, drawings, and installations that investigate certain aspects of the politics of black hair as they relate to my identity as an African American woman. These aspects are intimacy, beauty standards, and empowerment. I use hair and hair care products as my materials with which to create. I specifically focus on hair care products which I used when I was a young girl including Blue Magic hair grease and barrettes, products which for many black women are associated with childhood. My aim is to create artwork that changes hair and hair care products from mundane grooming tools into valuable cultural artifacts.

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