In honor of #BlackExcellence365, we’ve connected with some incredibly talented artists on Tumblr to hear them out on how the topic of Black identity shines through in their art. First up in our #BlackExcellence365 Artist Spotlight series is Jessica Spence (@jessmyart), a Jamaican-American artist whose portraiture work often speaks to the life of Black women.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you came to be an illustrator. How has Tumblr been a place for you to find your voice?
I studied Fine Arts and Art Education in undergraduate and graduate school. I do not see myself as an illustrator, but rather as a painter. Most of my works are paintings. I began using Tumblr as an online platform to share my work. Tumblr has allowed me to find my voice as an artist by sharing content with other creatives and those who might not be able to access or see the artwork in a gallery setting.
What communities do you identify with both online and IRL?
The communities I identify with both online and in real life are those that reflect my cultural background and common interests. I identify with women of color—namely Black women. I identify with those from the West Indian and Caribbean communities because my parents are Jamaican and raised me in a household that reflected Jamaican culture although I was raised in New York. With that being said, I also identify with those who also grew up in New York and having the ability to meet and connect with people from various backgrounds who live here. Being an artist, I also identify with others who see themselves as artists as well, whether they work in visual arts, education, writing, music, film, or dance.
How did you come up with your featured piece and how might this relate to the broader conversation surrounding the #BlackExcellence365 campaign?
“Sore Arms” is a work within a larger series of paintings that I created to highlight and show the versatility and beauty of Black hairstyles.
Hair is an important aspect of the Black community. We see it in media, advertisements, movies, and even in social media. Can you delve more into the concept of the “Sore Arms” piece and how that correlates to the intersection of hair and Black women?
The title “Sore Arms” reflects the concept of styling your own hair and the struggle of getting soreness from creating a hairstyle that is time-consuming. While the process can take time, the result is beautiful. Beyond the aesthetic appeal of the hair, the work also depicts women embracing these culturally significant styles despite societal beauty ideals.
What have been some challenges for you as an artist?
Some challenges I have faced thus far are at times having to justify to some people why I create art. With the label of being an “artist” I know there will be those who don’t understand its importance, but my passion for it and those who do, keeps me going.
If you’re a Black artist and want to talk about how your art is informed by your identity, let the community know! Upload a photo (or GIF! Or video! Or script!) of your work to your Tumblr and tag it #BlackExcellence365 so everyone can find it.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
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