Dismantle Beauty (2025)

The definition of "dismantle" means: to disassemble or pull down; to take apart; to disconnect the pieces of; or to destroy the integrity or functioning of something. I take satisfaction in altering the appearance of women from different advertisements through the process of image transfer. These women in advertisements are often seen as the epitome of beauty, adorned with the best cosmetics, wigs, and various hairstyles from different eras. This satisfaction stems from my desire to alter the expressions I see in advertisements, which I perceive as façades—always jovial and ‘perfect’—and generally socially acceptable. This prompts the question: does altering one’s appearance outside of social norms make you uncomfortable?

This inquiry led me to create the series Dismantle Beauty. I specifically select images of Black women from publications such as Ebony and Jet magazine from the 1950s to the 1970s. I focus on this period because respectability politics during that time suppressed Black Americans authenticity, further reinforcing social acceptance narratives—not only in real life but also in advertising.

During the process of rubbing and peeling the paper from each image transfer, the ink on the surface stains the tile, revealing text and, upon closer examination, as one could interpret, a specific message. Each transfer is delicate and diverse, also emphasizing that Black women are not a monolith. My decision to do image transfers on ceramic tiles was intentional, symbolizing the complexity and depth I associate with being a Black woman. Metaphorically, the 4"x4" ceramic tile represents something that must be handled with care.