“Matriarch in the Presence of Black Joy” by Sharnita midgett

Sharnita Midgett
“Matriarch in the Presence of Black Joy” 

Everything we are is the culmination of everything that comes before and after us.This Black feminist belief is one that mainly inspired the collage, “Matriarch in the Presence of Black Joy”. In thinking about a manifesto, I was drawn to a collective manifesto that represented some of the influential figures in my life- my mother, my sister and my nephews. This collage is a collection of paintings, drawings, and photographs created by and of the matriarchal lineage of my family. These are creations from 2020 until recently. These series of paintings and sketches and collecting of old photographs started during the pandemic as a way to escape trauma and envision a world where Black joy exists, even if only for the duration of the time it takes to paint a pumpkin or sketch an antihero. I am preoccupied with the study of and striving for Black joy. It is present in both my research on Black health literacy and longevity throughout the life course and in my own self-care practices. My connection to my family has kept me grounded and centered, and this collage is a symbol of my centeredness and the centeredness of where I come from and where I will go. Paired with this collage are the words, “I just want us to be happy.”