This body of work explores the shifting boundaries of identity, beauty, and self-expression through the intimate and culturally charged act of hairstyling. The pieces feature collaged images of Jordan Rita Seruya’s (JRSA) own face, each juxtaposed with a range of hairstyles, arranged in a format reminiscent of African salon posters—visual fixtures that shaped JRSA’s early relationship with personal aesthetics. For the artist, these posters offered more than inspiration; they represented the powerful idea that one could visually preview and shape-shift their image at will—a quiet but radical form of agency that continues to resonate in her practice.

The series also introduces a new technique within her evolving material language: colourful floral embroidery stitched through paper. Intricate and delicate, the embroidery echoes the complexity of braided hair, serving as a tactile parallel to the care, patience, and artistry embedded in hairstyling traditions. Layered alongside her established collage practice, this method expands JRSA’s exploration of visual and emotional texture.

The works confront viewers with the complex interplay between pride and scrutiny, personal choice and societal expectation. Hair—central and symbolic—becomes both a marker of identity and a site of negotiation, reflecting how cultural and gendered perceptions shape and constrain.

The ‘In the Name of Africanness’ collection delves into the artist's ongoing reflection on her African identity, shaped by her roots in Kenya and her current experience in Germany. Through these works, the artist interrogates the complexities of what it means to be "African enough," exploring the nuances of cultural belonging and the multifaceted nature of Africanness. With each piece, she questions: What defines her connection to Kenya? What elements shape her understanding of being African? The collection invites viewers to contemplate the intricate layers of identity and the fluid boundaries that frame what it means to truly belong.