January 2025, Digital illustration

Who are we when no labels are placed upon us?
We become ourselves.

A portrait reflecting on beauty, identity, and history. I was inspired by the story of how the very definition and perception of identity have changed, how it was imposed, rejected, reinterpreted, and ultimately transformed into a tool for self-expression.

The "Color Echo" portrait was born from observing how a visual language (color, accessories, details) can reveal more about a person than words ever could.

The central figure is a Black woman with bright, almost childlike, plastic accessories woven into her hair. Inexpensive yet expressive elements. They are awkward and authentic, carrying the freedom of not having to be “proper.”

I am fascinated by how color and form can tell a story, how a simple detail can turn into an ironic and vulnerable symbol. These adornments are like echoes: within them you can hear childhood, memory, play, and pain all at once.

This image was created to remind us that everyone has the right to be themselves. Beyond limits. Beyond definitions.