Kenyatta 

Alfred Conteh’s mixed media piece titled Kenyatta depicts a young girl with her arms crossed. Conteh is known for figural works that center Black experiences. Here, Kenyatta’s gaze drifts away from us with a look that suggests both resilience and vulnerability. The stars on her shirt, a common motif of American childhood, are subverted, perhaps alluding to larger themes of identity and belonging. As a contemporary artist, Conteh is part of a larger dialogue that questions traditional representation and advocates for narratives driven by those who have often been marginalized. He once said, "I want to create art that speaks to the souls of Black folks.” In Kenyatta, Conteh gives us more than a portrait; he offers a poignant reflection on the complexities of growing up Black, inviting us to consider issues of race, identity, and the quiet strength of young women.