Happy to be nappy, I’m black and I’m proud
That I have been chosen to wear the conscious cloud
And I’m fine under cloud .Donnie, “Cloud 9”
As a woman of color with locked hair, I have had my personal struggles and biases of what it means to wear my hair in its most raw form. I’ve worn my hair in locks for seven years, and each year presents something that I was not aware of. I’m more in tune with what it means to be authentic and honest with myself and become connected to my sole purpose for being in this world, which brings me to The Loc Project.
The Loc Project was born out of need and a desire to represent Black women through fine art portraiture. After hearing comment made by Guiliana Rancic about Zendaya Coleman’s faux locs she wore during the Academy Awards, I knew it was time to dispel the negative connotations behind this natural hairstyle. I’ve always wanted to honor the power and majesty of Black women who wear their locs unapologetically with resilience and purpose. This portrait project is extremely personal, yet serves several purposes:
- To celebrate the existence of the Black woman
- To promote the beauty, which is often overlooked, of Black women and their locs
- Dispel the stereotypes associated with not only being a Black women, but Black women with locs
- Contribute new imagery to the fine art world about Black women
- To embrace our #blackgirlmagic
This project will not only focus on locs, but the individual journey each woman has walked with their family and friends through their hair’s transition.
Thanks for your consideration and I look forward to you being part of this amazing experience.
Lynsey Weatherspoon – www.lynseyweatherspoon.com