Can I Touch Your Hair?

Lead Author Major

Graphic Design

Lead Author Status

Senior

Format

Senior Art and Design Exhibition

Faculty Mentor Name

Marie Lee

Faculty Mentor Department

Art and Graphic Design

Additional Faculty Mentor Name

Brett DeBoer

Additional Faculty Mentor Department

Art and Graphic Design

Abstract/Artist Statement

"Can I Touch Your Hair?" is a photographic series consisting of six 18 x 24-inch portraits of various subjects with ethnic hair. People treat their hair in different ways and there are various types and textures of hair that differentiate us and play a big part in how not only we view ourselves, but how others view us as well. Being African American, I have textured curly hair. I love to find new and interesting ways to style and treat my hair because it is connected to my identity and personality. There have been many misconceptions and stereotypes created about hair, especially ethnic hair. For a long time, it was seen as superior to have straight hair. The straighter your hair, the more you fit in with society. It has been seen in history where people with “different” hair were looked down on and cast aside as inferior individuals. Yet as the years have progressed, Ethnic hair has started to become a positive characteristic within our society. When looking at my work I want the audience to see how ethnic hair can and should be seen on the same level of straight hair. An individual’s hair helps define who they are. Hair can come in all forms, shapes, and sizes. The photographs are shot on white backgrounds to highlight contrast. This distinguishes the individual’s hair and brings it to the foreground to illustrate how ethnic hair too, can be looked at as “acceptable”
and beautiful.

Location

Reynolds Gallery

Start Date

18-4-2018 6:00 PM

End Date

11-5-2018 5:00 PM

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Apr 18th, 6:00 PM May 11th, 5:00 PM

Can I Touch Your Hair?

Reynolds Gallery

"Can I Touch Your Hair?" is a photographic series consisting of six 18 x 24-inch portraits of various subjects with ethnic hair. People treat their hair in different ways and there are various types and textures of hair that differentiate us and play a big part in how not only we view ourselves, but how others view us as well. Being African American, I have textured curly hair. I love to find new and interesting ways to style and treat my hair because it is connected to my identity and personality. There have been many misconceptions and stereotypes created about hair, especially ethnic hair. For a long time, it was seen as superior to have straight hair. The straighter your hair, the more you fit in with society. It has been seen in history where people with “different” hair were looked down on and cast aside as inferior individuals. Yet as the years have progressed, Ethnic hair has started to become a positive characteristic within our society. When looking at my work I want the audience to see how ethnic hair can and should be seen on the same level of straight hair. An individual’s hair helps define who they are. Hair can come in all forms, shapes, and sizes. The photographs are shot on white backgrounds to highlight contrast. This distinguishes the individual’s hair and brings it to the foreground to illustrate how ethnic hair too, can be looked at as “acceptable”
and beautiful.