Women behind the lens: I grew up hating my natural hair. But I transformed that pain into something empowering'

"I create sculptural hairstyles using my natural hair as a material. I add some extensions, and shape it with thread and wire. A sculpture can take me from 30 minutes to more than six hours."

"Growing up in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, I was surrounded by beauty standards influenced by colonial history, where straight hair was often seen as more beautiful."

"Over time, I have transformed that pain into something empowering that celebrates my roots and my identity. By placing myself at the centre of my images, I want people who look like me to see that they belong in art."

"In Cote d'Ivoire, you only allow close and trusted people to do your hair because people believe anyone can use your hair to spiritually attack."

A deep bond with sister Florencia inspires sculptural hairstyles that convey messages about identity and feminism. Each hairstyle, taking hours to create, reflects personal experiences with beauty standards influenced by colonial history. The artist transforms past pain into empowerment, aiming to represent those who share similar backgrounds. The choice to photograph only herself is personal, but sculpting her sister's hair feels intimate. The process emphasizes connection and support, highlighting the importance of trusted relationships in hairstyling within Cote d'Ivoire's cultural context.

Read at www.theguardian.com