Artist Statement/Bio

Art is the act of self-proclamation. The desire to create is deeply ingrained in human nature. This sense of autonomy and self-actualization has allowed a select few to understand their own individuality. Still, people of the African diaspora weren’t privileged with the ability to control and define themselves. Understanding this, Selena began exploring tropes and the representation of people of the African diaspora through oil portraits. Even though there have been many challenges to the status quo through media, aesthetics, and accessibility, specific demographics have often been left out. The pursuit of understanding the origin of the Western biases of aestheticism, lead her to understand the emergence of Racial Science during the Enlightenment era. Holding true to her craft, she works with the traditional materials of the old masters, allowing for her work to become more than just paintings but visual essays.

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Selena “Noir” Jackson, born and raised in Washington DC, attended Montgomery College School of Art where she earned her A.F.A. in Studio Arts and is an active alum of the Sitar Arts Center. Noir remains active in her community as an art educator. She finds passion in bridging the gap between class and art for DC youth through the emphasis on activism, individualism, and the creation of antiracist spaces.