Nona Faustine, an influential artist and photographer, passed away in New York at 48. Known for her evocative works, she explored topics of Black womanhood, identity, and historical trauma, particularly in her acclaimed series 'White Shoes.' By photographing herself in historically significant locations linked to the slave trade, she revealed unsettling truths about being Black and female. Faustine’s compelling narratives and visual power resonated deeply, marking her as a significant voice in contemporary art and representation of Black history and culture, particularly through the lens of motherhood and familial connections.
Faustine highlighted marginalized African American histories, the hidden trauma wrought by the transatlantic slave trade, and the exigencies of being born Black and female.
I tried to commune with the forces of power and the spirits that I was sure existed, as I stood there naked in shackles in white pumps on a block of wood.
Her death was announced by Brooklyn gallery Higher Pictures, which represented her; no cause was given.
Born in Brooklyn in 1977, Faustine graduated from the School of the Visual Arts in 1997 and earned an MFA from the International Center of Photography.
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