THE COLORISM PROJECT
Colorism: Looking Outside the Brown Paper Bag
Colorism: Looking Outside the Brown Paper Bag is an exhibition composed of portrait drawings and text-based installations presented on wooden panels, cardboard boxes, and brown paper bags. This body of work confronts both the historical and present-day realities of colorism within Black communities, with a focus on how African American women navigate complexion bias and the lasting impact of harmful beauty standards including the legacy of the infamous “brown paper bag test.”
The immersive installation combines wall-mounted pieces and floor-based works, encouraging viewers to physically and emotionally engage with the portraits and narratives. The work creates space for honest dialogue around race, skin tone, internalized bias, and the persistent stereotypes that shape how Black women are perceived and valued.
The intention behind this exhibition is to challenge viewers to reflect on how colorism shapes our perceptions of beauty, belonging, and worth and to question why proximity to lighter skin continues to influence standards of acceptance within both Black communities and broader society.
Hair Identity
The Hair Identity series is a conceptual exploration of the role Black hair plays in shaping identity, culture, and self-definition. This body of work continues the narrative of how hair serves as both a personal and political symbol of beauty, resilience, and belonging within the Black community. It reflects on the deep-rooted connections between hair and identity, particularly for African American women, while challenging the societal pressures and stereotypes that have historically shaped how Black hair is perceived.
Stop Putting Me In A Box
The Stop Putting Me In A Box series examines the ways society imposes expectations that force individuals to conform in order to be accepted. This body of work specifically explores how African American women are pressured to navigate and adapt to Eurocentric beauty standards. It challenges the limitations placed on Black identity and calls attention to the ways these societal boxes restrict self-expression, authenticity, and cultural pride.
The Brown Paper Bag Test
The Brown Paper Bag Test series references the real and painful history of the “brown paper bag test,” a discriminatory practice once used within Black communities to determine access, privilege, and social acceptance based on skin tone. This body of work confronts the lasting impact of colorism and internalized bias, examining how proximity to lighter skin has historically influenced opportunity, beauty standards, and belonging within the African American community.