Free At Last 2021

Kayla Mahaffey made *Free At Last* sometime in the last few decades, using what looks like oils or acrylics. The brushwork is smooth, blending into an almost airbrushed effect, especially in the gradient background. Check out how she uses that ribbon, snaking around the figure's head. It's not just decorative. It's like a physical manifestation of thought, or maybe a barrier to it. The color is striking, a stark contrast to the blues and pinks, guiding your eye across the canvas, making you wonder what's being concealed, or revealed. I’m reminded of Kerry James Marshall, in the way Mahaffey centers Black figures in her paintings with such tenderness and complexity. There's a real conversation happening here, about representation, freedom, and the stories we tell ourselves. It's an open-ended piece, isn't it? Inviting us to bring our own interpretations to the table.