Artist Statement

 Welcome to my world! Let me tell you about what's been going on lately. My name is Zaria Walker and I'm an artist from Tampa, Florida. My most recent work is a series of sculptures made from one of the most unconventional materials in the art world. Hair!

      I’ve always loved doing my natural hair, fashion and curating outfits for myself. I enjoy doing these things so much to the point where I’ve somehow become the hairstylist and fashion designer to all of my friends and family.

     Over the past 2-3 years, I stepped out of my comfort zone and began to experiment with different hairstyles and clothing choices. Even if others didn’t like what I was wearing or how my hair was styled, which usually never happens by the way, I still went with whatever look I put together that particular day simply because it felt good to me.

     This experimental process made me question why there is such a stigma around black women’s hair. I then began to think about what white society has said about black women’s hair and fashion in general over the years.
     My series titled I Am Not, which can be found under the Sculptures and Instillations tab at the top of the page, encourages discussions surrounding topics such as, the black identity,
class, fashion, and beauty standards. It explores the black identity, more specifically the black female identity by using unconventional materials. Materials that are well known and have been used in the black community for centuries.
     In addition to this, it surveys fashion as it relates to high class white society in the 1800s and Victorian era. It expels upon the enforcement and upholding of unrealistic beauty standard over the course of multiple generations.
     The I Am Not series simply inserts blackness into places where they have not belonged in the past. By doing so, it forces viewers to challenge stereotypical views that they may have subconsciously been upholding.

     Although I have been focusing mostly on Sculpture over the past year, I am still an interdisciplinary artist who has experience in photography, creating digital artwork, 3D printed sculptures, and paintings. I never shy away from using new mediums. As my artistry continues to grow, I plan on experimenting with the mixture of different mediums such as sculpture and photography. Enjoy!