Woman Crush Wednesday: Nona Faustine
© Nona Faustine
Interview by Qimei Fu
The series My Country is different from many other works that have people as subjects. What inspired you to create this more abstract expression?
It was a logical and organic next step from my series White Shoes where I had placed my body in places of hidden history—making my body into a temporary monument of sorts. I used to think the first image in the series of the Statue of Liberty came about almost accidentally, but now thinking back, I question that I believe that I knew what I was doing along. I just turned off something and let another part of me take over.
The lines across the images give a sense of detachment, chaos, and suppression. What message do you want to deliver here?
While it was a way of describing emotion, it also represented a sense of freedom, truth, history, knowledge, rage, and yes suppression.
© Nona Faustine
How do you feel after completing this series?
I feel justified and proud. I began this series in April 2016 the world has finally caught up to the questions and ideas about these monuments, whose take on history is told and whose is not.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on a project around sacred feminine divine and death.
© Nona Faustine
Describe your creative process in one word.
Investigative
If you could teach a one-hour class on anything, what would it be?
Empathy
What was the last book you read or film you saw that inspired you?
In the Wake: on Blackness and Being by Christina Sharpe
What is the most played song in your music library?
Whipped Cream by Ari Lennox
How do you take your coffee?
Cream no sugar
Check out Nona’s Instagram here.
