The 20 visual art images I’ve selected serve as portals into the layered process of racial healing, anchored in the symbolic and material use of pineapple allegories. Each piece reflects phases of unearthing truths, preserving oral histories, and archiving personal and collective experiences of racial injury. These works are intentionally process-driven, much like the slow and complex journey of confronting racial trauma.
The pineapple, both as a symbol and a source of nourishment, carries a dual meaning—its prickly exterior and acidic taste mirror the disorienting effects of racism-based stress: hypervigilance, confusion, and fragmented realities. The historical commodification of the pineapple during the colonial era also parallels the commodification of Black bodies, connecting the fruit to a history of exploitation. However, in my work, the pineapple is reclaimed as a symbol of resistance and perseverance—its role as food is a reminder of how Black communities have used agriculture, food, and sustenance as tools of survival and defiance.
Through the lens of food as resistance, the pineapple in my art moves beyond symbol and becomes a metaphor for nourishing the spirit and body in times of trauma. Historically, food has been a vehicle of resistance for Black communities, from the kitchen gardens of enslaved people to the communal food practices that fueled the Civil Rights Movement. My work taps into this legacy, inviting viewers to consider the healing power of nourishment, not just for the body but for the mind and spirit, as Black people continue to reclaim spaces of abundance and resilience. The repetition of pineapple symbolism throughout these pieces represents the cyclical nature of this journey, challenging the viewer’s impulse for linearity and coherence. It is not just a journey of survival, but of active resistance, where food, culture, and memory intertwine to counter the narratives of oppression. The fragmented narratives mirror the chaotic impact of racism on mental health, inviting the audience into a cathartic experience of deep listening and empathetic engagement—a vital step toward collective healing and transformation.
Invisible Wounds
200 Flowers..
Eye Slices
Epigenetics
Black Dont Crack
Helmet of Salvation
Spikey Defenses
