Genetic Makeup
Genetic Makeup explores the experience of embracing my multicultural identity. Inspired by the contrast between a Texas sunset and the clear waters of The Bahamas, this work traces my journey of learning to honor both sides of my heritage. It also speaks to anyone who has felt caught between cultures, encouraging them to take pride in their own genetic makeup. Presented as a three-piece portrait series, each drawing measures three by four feet and is rendered in chalk pastel on black Tiziano paper, allowing the color to emerge with heightened vibrancy. The portraits depict my mother from Texas, my father from The Bahamas, and myself, symbolizing the blending of these two worlds. Through research into the landscapes, histories, and visual elements that define each place, I merge personal narrative with cultural memory. This work reflects the tension of feeling estranged from one’s own communities, and the growth that comes from learning to belong to both.
-Nyah Greene
