Deirdra Hazeley

I create realistic and abstract portraits of Black men and women. I explore beauty and dignity in my empowering artwork. I am inspired by reference images of Black people that demonstrate grace and strength. At times I elongate and enlarge parts of the body to abstract features. Further, I include elements from West and East African art, such as masks, mark making, and decorative borders. My process is meditative, meticulous and affirming to my identity as a Black woman of Liberian and Sierra Leonean descent.