Complexion, it all feels the same

Complexion is one part of an eight-piece installation commissioned for the Evergreen State College Spring Fair. The series as a whole explores themes of identity, culture, and perception, and this particular work focuses on the intersections of race, ethnicity, and complexion.

For this piece, I incorporated Kendrick Lamar lyrics, a Michael Jackson Thriller jacket, and my own interpretation of the iconic Thriller album cover. Each element was chosen intentionally. Kendrick Lamar’s lyrics provide a contemporary lens on social and racial consciousness. The Thriller jacket and imagery evoke the complex legacy of representation, fame, and the commodification of Black identity in pop culture. By blending these references, the work examines how culture, media, and personal expression interact with society’s perceptions of race and skin tone.

Complexion challenges viewers to confront and reflect on the nuanced ways identity is shaped and interpreted, and how personal and collective histories are visually and emotionally coded. The combination of music, fashion, and visual art creates a dialogue that is at once intimate, provocative, and culturally resonant.

This installation is part of a broader conversation about identity, legacy, and perception, encouraging viewers to question assumptions while appreciating the complexity and richness of the cultural references woven into the work.