About Me
Hi, my name is Jeneen and I am a graduate from Solent University
Although I was initially inspired by melanin within deeper skin tones, I became more intrigued by what materialises when an individual has a lack of this pigmentation. Aside from just a skin condition, the appearance of patterns and how they communicate helped me review this comprehensively.
My intention is to support change in the narrative of how people with deeper skin tones are perceived, and to stimulate new emotions because as a species we identify visually, and the idea is to feel comfortable with your natural skin complexion.
INSPIRATION
Primarily my idea was influenced by exploring 2020’s Black Lives Matter Protest and Colourism
The enormous attention that the Black Lives Matter movement received from around the world in 2020 was extraordinary. The activism was so captivating it inspired me to question my own emotions as a woman of deeper skin tone. The abuse and stigma that comes with being black, when really, we are not black in appearance? From here my attention was drawn to the topic of Colourism, which is as old as racism but barely documented. Then the enticing thing about colour began to query skin in relation to melanin.
The lack of melanin created intriguing patterns, and ironically in their personification, they lacked comfort and protection. So, considering how other species such as butterflies and amphibians use colour to survive in life, whether in attraction or aposematism, was enlightening in terms of how human skin could resemble a way that reflects the dynamic to comfort and protect. Also disguise and camouflage were evident attributes, even with battleships patterns were used to hide and confuse.
MY WORK
PORTFOLIOS
FMP (Mason, J 2021)
FMP (Mason, J 2021)
FMP (Mason, J 2021)
FMP (Mason, J 2021)
FMP (Mason, J 2021)
FMP (Mason, J 2021)
FMP (Mason, J 2021)
FMP (Mason, J 2021)
DETAIL
Patterns within nature and their significance influenced the creativity
Therefore, by combining the controversial subject with conceptual makeup artistry, the development presented an auxiliary to the body’s natural decorative design, and as a way of articulating a consciousness relative to people with a deeper skin tone and their experiences. Using patterns to embellish the body, signify empowerment and give meaning by aesthetically attracting or warning aposematically to others which ultimately possesses a sense of protective comfort.
''Our skin color is part of our biological legacy, telling a precious story about the environment in which our ancestors lived.'' (Jablonski 2013)
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