"Monique Aphrodite"

This piece will be showcased at the "Venetian" art show hosted by Populoum™ & Coastal Creative™.

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My piece is a recreation of “Girl with the Pearl Earring”, by Johannes Vermeer, with influences from Awol Erizku's version,” Girl with a Bamboo Earring”. I wanted to expand on the focal point of this painting, the girl, by giving a nod to a familiar and favorite archetype in Black culture from the late 80s, early 90s, and even today, The Around the Way Girl. 

By definition, the Around the Way Girl is an independent and streetwise woman, who knows how to get hers in a man’s world, all while leaving men drooling! She is adorned by a head-wrap braided updo and casual gear. She has an abundance of confidence, and high self worth that rivals her elegant bamboo earrings. 

The Around the Way girl at times is stereotyped, similar to the goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite, for being overtly sensual in a chill manor. However, in the end, she shakes it off and continues to strive. This piece embraces the intellect, sensuality, strength, and style of a woman of color in the renaissance period. 

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Client: Original Art

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Materials used: Illustrator, Acrylic paint, Holbein's Acrylic Gouache paint, color pencils, Markers, spray paint, Elmer's glue