私の黒人性 (Making Original Art Work: 5 Points): Janiah Collier | Class of 2028

 Inspired by my time studying abroad in Japan, I created a painting of a Black girl wearing a kimono as a way to turn my memories into something tangible. I wanted the piece to bring Blackness and Japanese culture together while reflecting my own experience of exploring Japan as a Black girl. The painting began as a personal artistic challenge, pushing me to explore how culture, identity, and memory can exist within my work. I loved both the process and what the finished piece represented to me. Moving forward, I hope to create more paintings that serve as odes to my study abroad experiences, allowing me to preserve the places, cultures, and moments that have shaped the way I see the world.