I am in a continual conversation with Black Joy. I undertook this inquiry in 2021, and it remains the primary focus in my creative practice. A dynamic tension exists in fully realized Black Joy. At one end of the spectrum, grief, pain, and intergenerational trauma exist simultaneously with humour, courage, and communal celebrations. These all contribute to a full and rich expression of Black culture. A fundamental aspect of the Black Joy movement is active resistance to the oppressive control over how the media depicts Black lives.

Another profound influence is my Jamaican ancestors and their storytelling. My choice of vivid colours and a robust foundation in drawing explore ancestral narratives concerned with folklore which centre on the elemental forces of our planetary environment. I believe the experience of joy is essential for cultivating resilience in difficult times. As an unofficial folk archivist, this body of work draws on personal family archives of past gatherings and celebrations to represent a positive visual record.