Visual Art by BELLA MKANDAWIRE

Being a biracial woman growing up in America, this body of work is inspired by my struggle to fit into categories and expectations that weren’t made for me. I attempted to capture the effort that comes with building a place for myself, alone in a world where everyone seems to be born into community. 

My mixed media self-portrait blends the neckline of a Korean hanbok, while using pieces of scrapped chitenge fabric, and is grounded by my human gaze and straight hair, contrasting my humanity and conformity throughout my life, despite the vibrancy of the life lying underneath.

This exploration extends to the collective in March of Generations, which serves as a metaphor for the enduring nature of family, and Sonder, a collage using fragmented figures, creating a series of emotional vignettes that explore the depth and vastness of the human experience.

Balancing these heavier themes, the portfolio also examines form and contrast. Currents utilises bold geometry to demonstrate that the serious and the playful can exist in harmony, while Charcoal Study prioritises grounding the subject in her weight and presence, showing appreciation for the roughness in life, and the years before perfection can be achieved. Finally, Woman vs Nature offers a surreal perspective into modern life, pairing organic and mechanical components to highlight the irony of interacting with nature in an artificial setting; humans recreating the beauty of nature, when we are surrounded by it.