Pieces like Lavar Munroe’s Virgin and Child (2020) consider the bond that a mother has with her child through bold strokes of color and expressive mark-making. Other works are more introspective, focusing on the relationship that one has with themself. For example, Zanele Muholi’s self-portraiture explores themes of race, sexuality, and labor; their gaze is penetrating, and it’s clear they have agency. All of these artists have stories to tell, and the importance of their work transcends aesthetic appeal.
