Aundria Braggs Artist

My work explores the experience of being an African-American female. Specifically, finding one’s identity while having afro hair in a Eurocentric culture. Managing the unruly afro-textured hair into a silky, straight European style is a consistently time-consuming act. A lot of energy goes into trying to fit into groups of people who still remark on apparent differences. I want my paintings to encourage self-acceptance and build tolerance for unique appearances. I hope to relate to women of color who feel isolated. Additionally, I want to start informative conversations about a marginalized group of people within American society.

            The natural hair movement encourages non-conformity and legitimacy of afro hair in whatever style that might be. I want to put emphasis on the power that comes from individuals embracing their unique characteristics. Empowerment that I avoided for most of my youth.

I do this with an undercurrent of my influences from sci-fi and fantasy. My color palette tends to be highly saturated and bright. My depictions are surreal with no anchor in space and time.

My work rests under the broad term called Afrofuturism, which concentrates on placing people of color in a futuristic or fantasy aesthetic. This idea can be found in books, music, productions, and various art forms. All with the hopes of uplifting the black community to see a future in which they are represented and thrive.