India Johnson
Reflections of Becoming
My work explores the complexities of Black girlhood. where softness meets resilience, pride confronts erasure, and innocence carries weight. Using intentional materials and imagery, I center Black girlhood as both sacred and powerful. This piece speaks to our reclamation of self: the right to be fully seen, loved, and celebrated in every form we take.
"Perms and Permissions"
Acrylic on cardboard
2025
This piece is a meditation on the layered identity of young Black girls; their beauty, their brilliance, and the burdens placed on them far too early. Through my work, I hold space for the conversations many of us grew up silencing: the quiet pains of colorism, the politics of hair texture, the way society teaches us to measure worth against proximity to whiteness.
"Fro Real"
Acrylic on cardboard
2025
This work celebrates the unfiltered joy and freedom of Black children, capturing the beauty and wonder of their spirit. It’s a reflection of the pure, effortless joy they carry, a celebration of their presence and the light they bring into the world.
"Kinks of Liberation"
Acrylic on cardboard
2025
This piece explores the journey of self-discovery and the powerful process of reevaluating one’s identity. It reflects the ongoing quest to understand and embrace the beauty within, especially in the context of Blackness. It’s a meditation on the importance of recognizing the inherent worth and strength in who we are, and finding peace in the complexities of self-acceptance and self-love.