Spirit is the word that comes to mind when viewing Kefi, this month's show from artist Tashema Davis. Centered around the childhood experiences of Black women, the pieces vibrate with joy and intensity creating a sensation of being truly alive.

Tashema Davis
*Lead Me*
oil, acrylic
24" x 48"

Girls & women are presented as triumphant and joyous, despite the harsh realities they face. Subjects are self-determined. Viewers soften under the unrelenting gaze of the figures as they beam vitality back into the audience. The women presented in the show are determined to be fully themselves.

Each piece is bursting with a distinct personality; singular hairstyles, headbands, and glasses frame each face to create a unique persona. Themes of transformation, love, and individuality resonate from the works. Melanated skin emerges from tapestries while skulls, animals & florals mash together. Children laugh and stare unapologetically. Bees buzz sweetly around young brown women.

Tashema Davis
*Zamar*
Oil, acrylic
20" x 16" framed

Single hands jut into the frame to gently caress floral elements. In numerous pieces, Disney princesses radiate around young girls. Thundercats are contained in the mind of a defiant figure. Typography adorns many of the pieces like morning affirmations. The word “creative” overlays a tapestry where the figure transforms herself repeatedly. The word “promise” merges softly into a child’s face, evoking her potential. “Believer” is neatly tucked beside a lamb as a figure hugs a lion. The use of lettering calls into question how black women are labeled and how we define ourselves.

Together the pieces convey a vision of black femininity that is vibrant, bold and self directed. They embrace every element that makes them from culture to cartoons. The girls and women presented are choosing to live enthusiastically and authentically.

See Kefi in the gallery annex throughout the month of February.