Paper Bag Test Portraits (2015) is a powerful and evocative series that directly challenges entrenched beauty norms within global Diaspora communities. Painted on brown paper bags, these portraits draw from the painful history of the brown paper bag test—a discriminatory practice that privileged individuals with lighter skin tones, reinforcing colorism and perpetuating divisions across communities worldwide. By using these paper bags as the canvas for the artwork, the series underscores the continued relevance of this issue and the urgent need to confront it.

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The choice of the brown paper bag as a medium is both symbolic and provocative, serving as a stark reminder of the arbitrary and superficial standards used to judge beauty and worth. This material, so common and unremarkable in everyday life, becomes a vehicle for profound commentary on the remnants of colonialism that continue to influence perceptions of beauty and value. The textured, fragile nature of the paper bag contrasts with the powerful imagery painted upon it, creating a visual tension that reflects the internal and societal conflicts experienced by those judged by these standards. Each portrait stands as a defiant act of reclamation, challenging viewers to reconsider the biases that have been ingrained through generations and across cultures.

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Paper Bag Test Portraits is not merely an artistic exploration; it is an urgent call to action. The series compels viewers to reflect on their perceptions and the societal norms that perpetuate color-based prejudices. By confronting the lingering effects of colonialism and colorism, this work demands a reevaluation of the values placed on skin tone and the ways in which these values shape communities and identities. Through its bold and unapologetic use of symbolism, Paper Bag Test Portraits invites viewers to engage in a critical dialogue about the legacy of colorism and to envision a future where all forms of beauty are acknowledged and celebrated, free from the shadows of discriminatory practices.

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Material: screen print, rabbit skin glue, synthetic water-soluble polyvinyl acetate emulsion, dry paint pigment for both the egg tempera, encaustic, and oil paint on paper bags.