Nona Faustine, *72 Canal, Sojourner Truth’s Home,* 2016. © Nona Faustine

Written by AnnaRose Goldwitz

Nona Faustine, a Brooklyn-born photographer renowned for her evocative self-portraits that confronted America’s historical amnesia regarding slavery and the erasure of Black women’s narratives, passed away on March 20, 2025, at the age of 48.

Born in 1977 and raised in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, Faustine was introduced to photography by her father and uncle, both amateur photographers. She pursued her passion academically, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of Visual Arts in 1997 and a Master of Fine Arts from the International Center of Photography at Bard College in 2013.

Faustine’s work delved into themes of history, identity, and representation, often using her own body to challenge and reinterpret historical narratives. Her seminal series, “White Shoes” (2012–2021), featured self-portraits at former slave auction sites and burial grounds across New York City. In these powerful images, Faustine often appeared nude or partially clothed, wearing symbolic white heels, standing at locations like Wall Street and the Tweed Courthouse, thereby confronting the city’s buried history of slavery.

Nona Faustine, Of My Body I Make Monuments In Your Honor, Brooklyn, 2014. — Nona Faustine, *Of My Body I Make Monuments In Your Honor,* Brooklyn, 2014. © Nona Faustine

In 2024, the Brooklyn Museum hosted Faustine’s first solo museum exhibition, showcasing the complete “White Shoes” series. The museum lauded her work for urging viewers to critically reflect on the hidden, often traumatic histories embedded in familiar places.

Beyond “White Shoes,” Faustine’s “My Country” series scrutinized national monuments, questioning the dominant historical narratives they represent by depicting landmarks like the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial through a partially obstructed lens.

Nona Faustine, Lobbying the Gods for a Miracle, Brooklyn, 2016 — Nona Faustine, *Lobbying the Gods for a Miracle,* Brooklyn, 2016. © Nona Faustine

Throughout her career, Faustine received numerous accolades, including the 2019 Anonymous Was a Woman Award and the 2024 Rome Prize in visual art from the American Academy in Rome. Her work is held in esteemed collections such as the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., and the Brooklyn Museum.

Faustine is survived by her daughter, Queen. Her profound contributions to art and her unflinching exploration of America’s complex history leave an indelible legacy that will continue to inspire and challenge future generations.

To see more of Nona Faustine’s work and to read the full interview, check out our latest issue RISK.

Read a condensed and edited preview of the interview here.