You and Me us never part, Makidada 2021

"You and Me us never part, Makidada" is a 2021 painting by Lanise Howard, an emerging artist known for her contemporary realist style. The painting features two Black women seated together in a lush, tropical setting. The central figure, whose hair is being styled by the other, seems to be a portrait of the artist herself, a powerful statement about Black identity and sisterhood. The title, a Swahili phrase, emphasizes the importance of connection and shared history. The overall visual tone is one of quiet strength and resilience, captured through the subjects' gazes and the vibrant yet peaceful backdrop.