Background: The marginalization of people of color is what drives me to
have a voice. My body of work looks at the parallel between women of color and
endangered plants that are native to the same regions. For example, Malaysian Rafflesia
is a piece that was able to create a relationship between a woman native to Malaysia and
a Rafflesia, an endangered plant native to southeast Asia, mainly Malaysia, Thailand,
Indonesia and the Philippines. By initiating this relationship between the two, I bring
light to cultures and people who have been pushed to the side simply by what they look
like, and endangered flowers that have no voice of their own; both silenced and invaded
for many years. By creating this dialogue, I wish to help them be seen in a space that
for many years has been absent of their presence. and Keywords: Printmaking, Woodcut, Relief, Women of color, Sudan, Yemen,
Dominican Republic, Hawaii, India, Australia, Plants, Botanical Life, Handmade Paper,
Kozo, Abaca, People of Color, Borneo Teak, Bayahibe Rose, 'Akoko, Berberis
nilghiriensis, Nubian Desert Palm, Echidnopsis bentii, Miami-born
Artisit.