Lulu Adult Perspective, Ancestral Foundations Painting

This portrait is apart of the Ancestral Foundations series. This project aims to explore the impact that African ancestry plays on our sense of identity, especially for those growing up in countries with a history of colonialism and prejudice. It looks to question the effects that this has had on many of us who have grown up in the UK and America with African families or mixed backgrounds. How does this mix of vastly different cultures and perspectives influence our lives and sense of identity? This portrait of my cousin Louise was the second half of a diptych, depicting the differing stages of her life and upbringing. While the first portrait focuses on her memories of growing up in London. This portrait focuses on her adult perspectives and changing connections to her Ghanian roots/ancestry. This is work was also created as part of a documentary series called “The Next Big Thing”.