NAOMI / FEMALE TONGUE

Naomi / Women’s Tongue,

Oil on linen canvas (50x40)

2020

Naomi @namglam is an influencer based in Brussels. She is passionate about make-up. Her colourful looks is what made me really like her perspective on make-up. As some of you may know, color is what I thrive on.

Naomi was so kind to answer a bunch of questions I had after the death of George Floyd. Just like a lot of people my eyes were opened on very problematic systems and behaviours. I looked myself in the mirror and I never painted a person of color, I was ashamed! And the worst part is, I didn’t even realise it - and didn’t even mean anything by it for that matter. That’s also the most destructive part of racism. So many people don’t realise that structural racism is in every one of us. We might not always mean it like that but that still doesn’t mean we are giving the same chances to people of color.

It’s not Naomi’s job to educate me, it’s my job to read further into these topics. However, I’m so grateful she took the time to tell me how she feels because I wouldn’t want to start this painting without even talking to someone who has to deal with racism every day. That wouldn’t feel fair. So here she is. Naomi in all her glory.