In the process of investigating my own identity, I return to my roots by creating a visual conversation between my Mom and Aunt as they recount the circumstances of their upbringing. Biracial twin sisters adopted into a white family in the 1960s was not something that went unnoticed. They were aware of growing up with everyone’s eyes upon them and the stereotypes that clung to their Black identity. In The Music Sang 'Lean On Me', they recount troublesome stories of growing up with no familial connection to their heritage. They idolized and connected with Black figures within popular culture. The imagery of iconic figures in the video is recontextualized through the two woman’s hands. Their unique relationship to one another develops through odd portraits of their interactions. This series shares a unique story of the impact of imagery, in the construction of distant and personal relationships that formed an identity.
In the process of investigating my own identity, I return to my roots by creating a visual conversation between my Mom and Aunt as they recount the circumstances of their upbringing. Biracial twin sisters adopted into a white family in the 1960s was not something that went unnoticed. They were aware of growing up with everyone’s eyes upon them and the stereotypes that clung to their Black identity. In The Music Sang 'Lean On Me', they recount troublesome stories of growing up with no familial connection to their heritage. They idolized and connected with Black figures within popular culture. The imagery of iconic figures in the video is recontextualized through the two woman’s hands. Their unique relationship to one another develops through odd portraits of their interactions. This series shares a unique story of the impact of imagery, in the construction of distant and personal relationships that formed an identity.