The Defender is a mixed media collage in the Novel Bodies, Novel Landscapes series.She patrols the island’s rim wearing an orchid petal helmet. She’s an ever-watchful guardian of this future world where peace is hoped for but never guaranteed. She raises a red flag as a clear warning to would‑be invaders and a ready weapon if deterrence fails. The flag proclaims that every inhabitant within these shores is defended and any threat must get through her first. Novel Bodies, Novel Landscapes reimagines Black women beyond the confines of history, expectation and erasure. Rooted in Afrofuturism, Novel Bodies, Novel Landscapes is a series of works that center Black women in a safe futuristic world. Through my work, I place us firmly within landscapes of power, beauty and infinite possibility. In these imagined worlds, Black women roam freely unburdened by imposed ideals of femininity and perfection. Their forms, informed by “imperfect” bodies, exist unapologetically within surreal environments. The figures in this series are not merely subjects; they are leaders, visionaries and revolutionaries. Each woman plays a vital role in her community, whether as a healer, guide or protector. The Defender (2026)Mixed media collage on paper8.5 × 11.5 in.
