Shanielle Dean 2019

Felice House’s “Shanielle Dean” is a portrait rendered with a considered use of light, shadow and earthy hues. I can only imagine the careful application of oil paint in the studio—layer upon layer, shifting to portray both the inner and outer life of the sitter. I feel like this work is a thoughtful exploration of identity, representation, and the untold stories of marginalized communities. Felice, I am sure you were reflecting on the legacy of Western portraiture, and its historical exclusion of women of color. The choice of a woman in a cowboy hat feels deliberate, challenging conventional notions of who gets to occupy that iconic symbol of American identity. I'm struck by the play of light and shadow on Shanielle's face. The artist has used the brush to carve out the contours of her face, emphasizing her strength and dignity. I imagine Felice's process involved an exchange between painter and sitter, both collaborating in this act of representation. In the end, Shanielle Dean emerges as a powerful statement about visibility, agency, and the reclamation of narrative.