ain’t nobody prayin for us.

“I was all out of answers and I just needed to know someone was saying a prayer.”

Ain’t Nobody Praying for Us”, a series of paintings of African-American men, is designed to recreate art typically found in churches. Where once there was only white Jesus and priests set against embellished and sanctified backgrounds, I insert black faces which were long absent from this style of art.  In places of worship, especially in Christianity, black men were never a part of the conversation. In fact, in not only the church, but in America’s history, black men have been dehumanized, stigmatized, or ignored. I work to redefine the mindset of the viewer from aggressive to sanctified.

As a black woman, it is my obligation to draw and uphold these men. There is an unwavering belief within the black community that black women must uphold black men as every other race, class, and gender works to exterminate his existence.

The project brings this message through a series of portraits on large scale canvas panels through highly saturated colors and gold surfaces. Each African American male who occupies the foreground wears clothes linked to urban lifestyle and street wear occupies a space that is decorated and embellished with pattern work. In fact, I, as a black women is praying for him.