(Eng: Me, Hair - Hair, Me)

In this piece, Jordan Rita Seruya Awori (JRSA) explores the shifting boundaries of identity, beauty, and self-expression through the intimate ritual of hairstyling. Moving through a series of elaborate African hairstyles set against abstract, dreamlike landscapes, the work traces the tension between pride and scrutiny, personal agency and societal expectation.

Hair—both personal and political—becomes a site of resistance and reclamation, reflecting the ways in which identity markers can simultaneously empower and expose. Through layered visuals and symbolic framing, JRSA interrogates the cultural and gendered perceptions projected onto African women’s bodies, particularly through their choices of adornment. The piece raises questions around authenticity, femininity, and judgment: Who defines what is real? Who enforces the boundaries of expression? And why does the act of self-styling provoke such deep societal response?

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.