Zena: A Seated Portrait

This piece centers power, presence, and protection. Sitting grounded in the chair, surrounded by living plants and graffiti-rooted textures, I’m holding both softness and edge at the same time. The carnival adornment carries joy, culture, and Caribbean lineage, while the blade reminds us that navigating this world also requires awareness and defense.

The sepia version nods to Huey P. Newton’s iconic portrait, placing this moment in conversation with legacy, resistance, and self-determination.

This image is about not choosing between who you are—but holding it all, fully.